History
Retail Grocery Inventory Service was founded in 1958 by Thomas J. Nicholson, offering grocery stores an accurate and economical alternative to in-house inventories. Within a few years, the business expanded throughout the Midwest and started conducting counts in other retail environments all over the USA.
Today, RGIS has become the largest inventory and retail services company in the world. Our commitment to accuracy, integrity, and reliability, combined with our unmatched experience makes RGIS the service of choice for local businesses as well as Global 500 and Fortune 500 companies.
Below is a timeline outlining the history of RGIS.
1950s
Thomas J. Nicholson creates Retail Grocery Inventory Service with sons Bill and Ray in 1958. In 1958, RGIS Headquarters moves from the basement of the Nicholson home to a Detroit area office. 1960s
RGIS is on its way to becoming a national presence. The first offices were created in Illinois, Florida, Wisconsin, Ohio, Missouri, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, with a budding international presence in Canada. 1970s
RGIS’s presence continues to grow with 92 total districts by the end of the decade with divisions created throughout the nation. RGIS Headquarters relocates from Madison Heights, Michigan to Rochester, Michigan. The first mini computers are used in district offices including the introduction of the SCM electronic calculator and the custom-designed TJN calculator. 1980s
The 1980s helped launch the Audit microcomputer – which went through 6 evolutions during the decade. The RGIS logo receives an update in time to add a finishing touch to a headquarters in Rochester, Michigan. RGIS also begins a successful affiliation with The Marketing Force. A RGIS HQ Data Center for processing information is developed. By the end of the decade, RGIS has a worldwide presence with more than 200 district offices. 1990s
The Audit microcomputer continues to be improved upon, with six more breakthrough iterations available. RGIS increases their global reach with offices in Mexico, Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Israel and Brazil. Technology takes a quantum leap forward with the introduction of the Portable Financial (PORTFN) program. Radio Frequency (RF) wireless technology is introduced to add increased service. Also, RGIS On-Line allow improved customer service and exposure to new markets via the World Wide Web. 2000-present
The International Division is formed to uniquely position RGIS for new markets. RGIS Headquarters relocates to Auburn Hills, Michigan. First offices in United Kingdom, Germany, Argentina, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Chile, France, Romania, Poland, Greece and The Czech Republic. RGIS teams up with Impala Partners and Paul Street is named CEO. RGIS Headquarters is renamed the Field Support Center to better reflect the contributions made by the hundreds of dedicated employees that support our Field Operations. To better serve our growing customer base, RGIS acquires Gin Soft in France, Knöpfle in Germany and Lotons in Australia. The Audit microcomputer, wildly successful through 14 generations is retired and replaced with the revolutionary RM-1(TM). RGIS is acquired by The Blackstone Group and continues its historic growth and industry leadership.
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