In 1939, a young engineer from the University of Minnesota, Leon Hamlet, established a Manufacturers Representative firm. Over the next 66+ years Hamlet & Smith grew to be a multi man agency serving customers throughout the Midwest and Southeastern States. Starting with a metal stamping and fastener manufacturer, Leon Hamlet called on OEM’s in Minnesota for a year and in 1940, the H.M.. Harper Company of Chicago encouraged him to move his business to Milwaukee where they thought there were more opportunities for him. He took them up on this offer and the business thrived during World War II as he sold everything available to him. The post war boom continued to be times of good fortune for Leon as he invested in a small manufacturer of electrical transmission and distribution equipment that was to grow into one of his best customers, RTE, a company that was key in bringing electricity to the rural areas of the country.

In 1952 Roy Smith joined Hamlet and the legend is the business doubled within a year as the steel salesman was a stellar addition who continued to sell for the company for 40 years. The 1950's also marked the acquisition of a wire form line and screw machine house that continues to be a significant principal today. The company also had the addition of Harry Titus who brought with him a line of laminated products which later morphed into the substrates for electronic applications. Hamlet continued to develop the fastener business and initiated a distributor, Crown Screw and Bolt to channel his sales through.

Michael Pierce, Leon Hamlet, Harry Titus, and Roy Smith

During the 1960’s, the company continued to grow,  and for the first time they hired a salesman outside of the Milwaukee territory. Mike Pierce began selling in the Minneapolis market and successfully established sales with all principals. Of particular growth was the move into the burgeoning Printed Circuit Board market and Mike took the lead in expanding this business.  Sales in all areas thrived and looked bright going into  the next decade.

The 1970's brought a number of changes, as the boom earlier in the decade was followed by the sharp recession of 1975. However, Hamlet & Smith powered through and in 1976, Mike Pierce moved to Milwaukee to direct the company leaving the Minneapolis territory to Dick Auer, whose experience was in the Printed Circuit Board market.

The 1980's saw significant expansion with Richard Hegg joining them in 1980, bringing a presence to the Chicago market. Pat Brinkman was hired in 1983 to bolster sales in Minnesota, and Kris Holm came on board in 1984 in Milwaukee where his market knowledge had an immediate impact. There were the losses of two significant principals. The Harper Company which had been the cornerstone for over 40 years closed in 1983 and Oak Laminates, the engine for the expanding circuit board business was sold to a competitor in 1987. However, the sales effort of the company overcame these setbacks and continued to find replacements. As the circuit board industry continued to grow, Hamlet & Smith added lines to complement this surge including high end manufacturers of drilling equipment and an Italian builder of wet process equipment. Because of the service demands of our market, Hamlet & Smith initiated moves into the distribution of materials and equipment.

Following a dip in the economy in the early 1990's, the company continued its upward trend, and by the end of the decade, they had become a factor in the Southeast. With the hiring of Fred Pugh and the purchase of lines from another agency, Hamlet & Smith could now sell into the growing market of the Southeast United States, a region where many of the Midwestern manufacturers had moved into. Jerry Smith joined the company in Milwaukee and brought not only sales capabilities but organizational skills to the company which had nearly tripled in size over the past 15 years. With the globalization of the economy, we began distributing materials from Asia as well as Europe.

We now stand at the start of the 21st century and our commitment to serving customers and principals continues to be the foundation for our success. Our experience and history is an eloquent testimonial to the value we bring to both new and existing principals as we continue to be the most effective vehicle to bring sales to companies committed to long term growth.

Management and ownership have transitioned to lead the company forward as we have for over 60 years and we welcome the challenges that the global economy presents for ourselves, our customers and our principals.