OUR HISTORY
HRG was founded in 1980 by Dave Hamacher, RPh, and has been in the details of retail for 45 years.
Shortly after moving into our current office, we created a History Wall on our first floor to commemorate highlights and milestones from each decade. Scroll through the decades below to see:
- product introductions and expansions,
- entry in new market segments,
- community outreach,
- technological advancements,
- company culture evolution, and more!
If you look closely enough, you’ll find many HRG employees in the pictures who are still here! Can you find Dawn, Julie B., or our director or barketing, Buddy?
Dave Hamacher, registered pharmacist, launched company in April 1980 after selling Stein Drugs to Walgreens
North Carolina Mutual Wholesale Drug became first wholesaler to offer Effective Space Utilization Program (ESUP)
Company moved from Dave Hamacher's home to first "official" office
Editorial content appears in various trade journals
Company manufacturer projects completed including planograms, product details and FactFolderTM
IT Department created in 1986 (Dawn Vogelsang hired)
Retail zone pricing is introduced & the core service is renamed TEMPS®
The first point-of-sale database is delivered to a hardware/software vendor - Compute-Rx
Independent pharmacy subscriber milestones reached with TEMPS®
Fine Line categorization (taxonomy) created and shared with industry
Employee Training & Management Development programs created
First user meetings conducted in Milwaukee and attended by DPH&A clients
Cosmetic program introduced with planograms, adjacency mapping, and product guides
Profit-sharing program first introduced to all employees
Company transforms space management to an automated process
St. Gall's Meal Program expanded as company-wide commitment
TEMPS® updated to "Select" status; component customization and content driven by store profile
Comprehensive healthy and beauty care image library developed
Internal print shop outfitted to provide faster and more customized deliverables
Training Program completed for Miles Diagnostics — planograms, video training and on-site seminars
Eckerd Drug Stores expand use of Hamacher-customized Compare & Save signs across entire chain
RxAdvisor® replaces TEMPS-Rx prescription pricing program
Web content to support online activities delivered to Soma.com, PlanetRx, and FamilyMeds
BenchmarkTM Report Cards unveiled to highlight missed inventory and pricing opportunities for pharmacies
Developed Successful Apothecary Management Program (SAMS) to assist independent pharmacies with limited front-end space
TEMPS® reaches 7,000 independent
pharmacy subscriber milestone
Pharm-Assist clerk training, and Placement for Profit and Service Plus video series introduced
Dawn Vogelsang led management team acquisition of the organization in 2001 following Dave Hamacher's retirement and short-lived sale to NONSTOP Solutions
Company renamed to Hamacher Resource Group
HRG broadened community outreach and expanded charitable giving efforts
Rx Advisor® offered online, Buyer's Assistance available via a secure website
Prescription-level data aggregation and analysis conducted to support persistence and compliance programs
HRG introduced 360° Store Assessments for independent pharmacies
Milton Keynes office opened to support category management program across the United Kingdom
In-house print capability expanded to produce store-specific shelf labels
Strategic Services model introduced for Temps® — allowing for broader sharing of the tools
HDMA selected HRG to author white paper addressing EPC and RFID trends
HRG acquired Caregivers Marketplace™ and The Caregivers Group
Became a certified woman-owned business
Company celebrated 25 year landmark with appreciation event
Groundbreaking on new HRG headquarters with input from all associates: collaborative workspaces, fitness center, and bountiful natural light
Increased web content services to support clients’ online presence with image and data creation and harmonization
Moved our office in one day
Initiated codification to support various benefit programs
Selected by HDMA to conduct a comprehensive research study on the independent pharmacy channel
Programmed application architecture and developed content to fuel GMDC’s Selfcare Roadmap™
Combined expertise in space
planning, graphic design, and IT to support fixture deployment/reset
Introduced two key initiatives: surge planogram support and natural product focused services for manufacturers,
wholesalers, and retailers
Launched new tools for CPG
manufacturers: IN.depth, Independent Pharmacy Workshop, and Collaborative Strategy Sessions
Revamped Wellness Program;
Won top workplace; implemented flexible work schedule policy
Engaged with local schools to
help develop future leaders and organizations to encourage SE Wisconsin economic growth
Participated in education and
research related to the retail
pharmacy component of the
Drug Supply Chain Security Act
Took our charitable work “on the road” to assist in providing hurricane relief in
Puerto Rico
Reduced paper use 70% by converting paper processes to electronic, resulting
in a need for three times as much network storage
Instituted “bring your dog to work”(idea brought forward by long-time associate)
Created new product workflow which improved efficiencies and decreased turn-around times