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.

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.

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.