H.D. Smith continues to grow

H.D. Smiths Springfield work force is up to 286, nearly 50 percent more than in the fall of 2009.

Companywide employment of 879 is up 16.1 percent.

Its a combination of factors, said president and chief operating officer Chris Smith.

Economic recovery has helped, he said. The company, with annual revenues of $3.5 billion, is the fourth-largest pharmaceutical wholesaler in the nation and the largest that is privately owned.

There also have been a series of acquisitions, including two in the last three months.

But Smith said much of the local employment growth results from Internet technology hires related to a companywide system upgrade, including new warehouse, document management and invoice systems.

The Opus project was begun more than two years ago and is scheduled for completion in 2013.

Were going through a major systems change, said Smith, whose brother, Dale Jr., is chairman and CEO.

Dale Sr., who founded H.D. Smith as a one-building, one-vehicle operation in 1954, still comes to work regularly.

In addition to the corporate headquarters in Park South, H.D. Smith leases office space on the west side.

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H.D. Smith continues to grow