T-R PHOTO BY SARA JORDAN-HEINTZ Recently, NuCara Pharmacy & Home Medical, headquartered in Conrad, acquired Hammer Medical Supply. Here, T.J. Johnsrud, R.Ph., president and founder of NuCara, far left, looks on as Hammer CEO Terry Flatt shakes hands with Brian Wegmann, CEO of NuCara. Peg Moler, far right, serves as Hammer’s branch manager in Marshalltown. The business deal will not result in the loss of any jobs or closing of store locations.

CONRAD — Two of Iowa’s long-serving medical equipment suppliers are becoming one. NuCara Pharmacy & Home Medical, headquartered in Conrad, has acquired Hammer Medical Supply, which is headquartered in Des Moines. Both companies have branch locations in Marshalltown.

The business deal will not result in the loss of any jobs or closing of store locations, as Hammer will maintain its nine central Iowa locales under the Hammer brand name.

“Customers will see a continuation of care they get from Hammer,” said NuCara CEO Brian Wegmann.

Hammer owners Rick Johnson, Kurt Johnson, Mark Johnson and Terry Flatt searched for the right company to partner with that they felt would continue Hammer’s legacy.

“The Johnsons were ready to retire, and we didn’t want the company to dissolve,” Flatt said.

Flatt, who has been with Hammer for 31 years, will stay on as a stockholder and will become Hammer’s CEO.

“The home medical business fits perfectly in the NuCara model. Our purpose as a company is to help keep people healthy and in their homes as long as possible. Partnering with Hammer Medical Supply, and their dedicated staff, helps us do that more effectively,” Wegmann said.

Entities from both sides said this business deal will be a smooth transition because of both companies’ dedication to the goal of helping to keep its customers living independently for as long as possible.

Hammer Medical Supply was founded in 1872. It entered the medical supply industry in 1976. NuCara, which started as a small pharmacy in Conrad, entered the home medical equipment and supply industry in 1981.

“Both companies were built through relationships. That’s the way of doing business in Iowa,” said T.J. Johnsrud, R.Ph., president and founder of NuCara.

Between them, NuCara and Hammer will now have over 30 locations in five states, employing a combined total of over 400 people. In addition to NuCara providing pharmacy services, it offers home medical equipment, ostomy and wound care, home oxygen/respiratory services, after-breast surgery products, IV services, medication packaging — and more. Hammer offers home respiratory equipment, mobility equipment and home accessibility products.

“Hopefully, the brand strength of both companies will be synergistic,” Johnsrud said.

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Contact Sara Jordan-Heintz at 641-753-6611 or sjordan@timesrepublican.com