How We Got Here

The beginning…

The Reserve Group was founded in 1995 by father and son, Dick & Mark Hamlin. However, the Hamlin family’s experience in managing industrial manufacturing spans back to 1933 when Dick’s father, Earl W. Hamlin, founded a small stamping business, Hamlin Metal Products in Akron, Ohio. The business flourished and became a major contributor to the effort during World War II. Unfortunately, Earl passed away too young and there were no family members in a position to continue leading the business. This led to the sale of Hamlin Metal Products in 1951.


The Brenlin Group

Fast forward to 1965, Dick Hamlin, son of Earl, became an entrepreneur and started the R.M. Hamlin Construction Company where he went on to build some of the nicest homes in Akron, OH. It wasn’t until 1975, at the back of St. Sebastian church where Dick had the opportunity to repurchase his father’s business, Hamlin Metal Products. The business was on the verge of insolvency and a friend approached Dick with the idea of buying it back. This began Dick Hamlin’s partnership with Dave Brennan and Jim McCready. The partnership led to the creation of The Brenlin Group, one of the first leverage buy out companies of its time. The Brenlin Group was focused on turn around acquisitions and would go on to acquire 18 portfolio companies combining over $1 billion in annual revenues.

TRG Today

After a successful 20-year partnership, the founders of The Brenlin Group decided it was time for the partners to separate. The portfolio of businesses would be divided among the principals to begin the next chapter. In 1995, Dick Hamlin and his son Mark Hamlin founded The Reserve Group. The foundation portfolio companies included Scotland Manufacturing , Spartanburg Steel Products, Romeo RIM Inc. & Forged Products. Over the next 25 years, TRG would go on to manage 14 new businesses and develop 2 partners in joint ventures. The Reserve Group Management Company continues to operate today as a third-generation family business.

A Timeline of Growth

1930’s

1933: Earl W. Hamlin starts the Hamlin Metal Products company in Akron, OH.

1940’s

1942: Earl W. Hamlin dies leaving Hamlin Metal Products to his wife and four children (Earl Jr., Dick, Jerry & Rita)

1945: Hamlin Metal Products is awarded the “Army / Navy Excellence in Performance of War Production”

1950’s

1951: Hamlin Metal Products is sold.

1960’s

1965: Dick Hamlin starts the R.M. Hamlin Construction Company, a residential home builder in Akron, OH.

1970’s

1975: Dick Hamlin, Dave Brennan & Jim McCready found The Brenlin Group and repurchase Hamlin Metal Products as the first portfolio company.

1979: The Brenlin Group acquires Scotland Manufacturing

1980’s

1982: The Brenlin Group acquires Romeo RIM & Spartanburg Steel Products. 

1984: The Brenlin Group acquires Forged Products Inc..

1990’s

1993: The Brenlin Group founders (Hamlin, Brennen McCready) announce a split-up. 

1995: Dick Hamlin & R. Mark Hamlin Jr. found The Reserve Group (TRG) with four foundational companies carried over from The Brenlin Group (Scotland Manufacturing, Spartanburg Steel Products, Romeo RIM Inc & Forged Products).

1997: TRG begins managing  Sharpsville Container.

1998: TRG begins managing  Gautier Steel

2000’s

2003: TRG partners with German automotive supplier Lapple to form LSP Automotive Systems. 

2004: TRG begins to manage  Superior Fabrication.

2008: TRG begins to manage  Integrated Biometrics

2010’s

2012: TRG begins to manage  Lee Brass

2013: TRG begins to manage  Great Lakes Castings.

2014: TRG begins to manage Modern Tool Inc.

2015: TRG begins to manage  AMG Industries

2020’s

2021: TRG begins to manage  East End Welding.



A Timeline of Growth

1930’s

1933: Earl W. Hamlin starts the Hamlin Metal Products company in Akron, OH.

1940’s

1942: Earl W. Hamlin dies leaving Hamlin Metal Products to his wife and four children (Earl Jr., Dick, Jerry & Rita)

1945: Hamlin Metal Products is awarded the “Army / Navy Excellence in Performance of War Production”

1950’s

1951: Hamlin Metal Products is sold.

1960’s

1965: Dick Hamlin starts the R.M. Hamlin Construction Company, a residential home builder in Akron, OH.

1970’s

1975: Dick Hamlin, Dave Brennan & Jim McCready found The Brenlin Group and repurchase Hamlin Metal Products as the first portfolio company.

1979: The Brenlin Group acquires Scotland Manufacturing

1980’s

1982: The Brenlin Group acquires Romeo RIMSpartanburg Steel Products, Inc

1984: The Brenlin Group acquires  Forged Products, Inc

1990’s

1993: The Brenlin Group founders (Hamlin, Brennen McCready) announce a split-up. 

1995: Dick Hamlin & R. Mark Hamlin Jr. found The Reserve Group (TRG) with four foundational companies carried over from The Brenlin Group (Scotland Manufacturing,  Spartanburg Steel Products Romeo RIM Inc &  Forged Products).

1997: TRG acquires  Sharpsville Container

1998: TRG acquires  Gautier Steel

2000’s

2003: TRG partners with German automotive supplier Lapple to form LSP Automotive Systems. 

2004: TRG acquires  Superior Fabrication

2008: TRG acquires  Integrated Biometrics

2010’s

2012: TRG acquires  Lee Brass

2013: TRG acquires  Great Lakes Casting

2014: TRG acquires Modern Tool, Inc.

2015: TRG acquires  AMG Industries

2020’s

2021: TRG acquires  East End Welding

The Servant Leadership Team

Mark Hamlin

CEO

Kevin Crowley

President

Keith Morris

Vice President

Honey Dennison

Vice President

Rick Mallett

Vice President

Richard Hamlin

Executive Vice President

Sandra Dickson

Assistant Controller

Patty Wolfe

Executive Assistant

Cheryl Hambley

Executive Assistant

Jo Ann Bischetsrieder

Associate

Jim Van Tiem

Executive Vice President

Kevin Zwick

Corporate Controller

Tim Rosengarten

Vice President

Tom Dugan

CFO