Berks & Beyond Blog

At Berks and Beyond, we want to make staffing simpler and more effective for you.  When your challenges are complex, we can provide the expertise you need in all parts of the personnel cycle – from position description through orientation – to ensure a successful match.  The following case study demonstrates our results at work:

The Problem:

A Reading, PA employer was facing a difficult – albeit positive – problem.  Due to high business volume, their plant manager was shouldering too heavy a workload.  HR was tasked with creating a new position in their plant to ease the demand on the plant manager.

The Solution:

Our staffing specialist met with this client three times to learn about the company, the personality of the plant manager and his immediate business needs.   Working together, Berks and our client solidified the job title, job description and primary responsibilities.

Because of the service we provided, our client decided to work exclusively with us to find the perfect match for their new position.  We conducted interviews to initially screen potentially qualified candidates and then referred only the best to our client.

The Results:

Working exclusively with Berks and Beyond enabled our client to hire the perfect person for the position.  We saved this Reading employer time and money, by not having to advertise, sort through piles of résumés or pre-screen candidates.  As an added benefit, the plant manager was free to stay focused on his core job responsibilities during a critically busy period.

In Our Client’s Words:

“Berks and Beyond was the perfect solution for our temporary work force needs.  With great enthusiasm for their work, they helped us create a quality temporary work force at affordable prices.  They made it easier than I had anticipated. Not only did Berks and Beyond help us with our temporary staff, but they also shared  ideas which will enhance the effectiveness of our workforce.  I am thoroughly impressed with how quickly they came to our rescue.  They met all of our requests faster than we anticipated – a rare occurrence with most businesses today!  It is always a pleasure doing business with Berks and Beyond!”

Write Your Own Staffing Success Story

Contact Berks & Beyond today to find out how we can deliver real Results at Work for your organization.

The Problem:

An Allentown distribution company was having trouble finding quality employees.  The staffing service they were working with sent them candidates without properly checking their criminal backgrounds first.  Despite discussing these issues with their provider, the problem persisted.  The plant manager turned to Berks & Beyond for help.

The Solution:

Berks & Beyond understood the seriousness of the distributor’s situation.  Our account manager met with HR to tour their facility, get to know the client’s business and review our stringent screening processes and policy.

Our account manager explained that Berks & Beyond uses a number of measures to ensure that our employees are thoroughly screened and authorized to work for our clients:

• Before being placed, every Berks & Beyond employee undergoes a criminal background check, drug screen and E-Verification.  If any applicant fails any part of our screening process, we notify our clients and replace the employee immediately.

To instill confidence in our service, we gave the distribution company the right to audit our screening measures at any time.  We also conducted a safety audit of the client’s facility, to ensure safe working conditions for our employees.

After witnessing first-hand our efforts to reduce risks and liability for both clients and employees, the distribution company agreed to place a trial-basis order.

The Results:

Berks & Beyond has a thriving business relationship with this client.  Since the initial order, we have placed numerous candidates with the Allentown distributor.  Our client has noticed a significant improvement in the quality of workers they receive, and trusts us to make staffing simpler and safer for them.

Write Your Own Staffing Success Story

Contact Berks & Beyond today to find out how we can deliver real Results at Work for your organization.

The Problem:

GMG Bakery, a Reading area employer, was using another staffing service to meet their temporary staffing needs.  Due to the nature of his business, owner Jack Gallen’s placed frequent just-in-time staffing requests.  Unfortunately, those requests were often filled with unreliable workers – or not filled at all.

Despite discussing these issues with their provider, in the hopes of resolving their problems, neither applicant quality nor fill rates increased.  GMG Bakery turned to Berks & Beyond for help.

The Solution:

Berks & Beyond listened to GMG Bakery’s staffing needs and concerns.  Since filling last-minute staffing orders was vitally important, we offered them an after-hours phone number they could use to submit temporary help requests for early the next morning.  Berks & Beyond also promised to deliver temporary employees with a proven track record of reliability.

Mr. Gallen agreed to give us a few orders, to see how our candidates would measure-up to those sent by other agencies – as long as we implemented the steps with our candidates that we said we would take.

The Results:

Berks & Beyond clearly and consistently outperformed our competitors.  As a result of our superior service and follow-through on our commitments, this Reading, PA employer now has a core group of skilled, available temporary employees they can rely upon.  GMG Bakery now trusts us with all of their staffing business.

Testimonial

“Response time on your end is quick and efficient from my phone call for employees.”

–Jack Gallen, Owner of GMG Bakery

Write Your Own Staffing Success Story

Contact Berks & Beyond today to find out how we can deliver real Results at Work for your organization.

The Problem:

A Reading area employer was experiencing high turnover of the temporary employees their staffing service provided.  This staffing provider failed to adequately explain essential job functions before placing temporaries – often forcing a square peg into a round hole, just to make a placement.  These workers were often poorly matched to the assignment, and didn’t last long on the job.

Frustrated with the host of problems a “revolving door” of temporary employees caused, the employer turned to Berks & Beyond for help.

The Solution:

Berks & Beyond spent time up-front learning about the client’s unique environment, temporary job descriptions and essential job functions.  We assured this client that we would sit down with each candidate and thoroughly discuss the opportunity – responsibilities, working environment, expectations, etc. – to make the best matches, and rule-out candidates who might not be a good fit.

The client agreed to give us a shot at their business, to see how our candidates compared to the other agency’s.

The Results:

Berks & Beyond clearly and consistently outperformed our competitor.  We listened to our client’s needs and created higher quality matches.  As a result of our superior service, this Reading, PA employer now enjoys a higher placement level and significantly lower turnover ratio.

Write Your Own Staffing Success Story

Contact Berks & Beyond today to find out how we can deliver real Results at Work for your organization.

The Problem:

Like many manufacturers, York Imperial Plastics works on a production needs basis.  Constantly changing production schedules often make them unable to anticipate labor needs until the day they are working on an order.  In the past, they were often forced to work short-handed, or required employees to work extended shifts, to meet production deadlines.

This manufacturer needed immediate access to a flexible, trained and pre-oriented workforce to supplement their core staff when demand suddenly surged.

The Solution:

Berks & Beyond developed and implemented a just-in-time staffing solution, maintaining a reserve pool of employees who were ready to work at a moment’s notice.  The employees were pre-screened, pre-tested and given an advance tour of York Imperial Plastic’s facility, so they could hit the ground running when called to work.

The Results:

Now when the manufacturing firm has a sudden surge in demand, they have on-demand access to a flexible and immediately productive workforce to handle the extra capacity – without adding to their permanent headcount.  With one phone call to Berks & Beyond in the morning, the Director of Operations can have additional workers by that afternoon. 

Core staff members experience less stress and job burnout during busy times; and when production slows down again, the temporary employees simply end their assignments.

“Over the last three years, Berks & Beyond has been a tremendous asset to our organization.  On a daily basis, they have been instrumental in helping us successfully flex our workforce with qualified and energetic individuals.  Berks & Beyond has an extremely talented and responsive staff, always ready and willing to find solutions to all problems and issues.”

–Chris Leh, Director of Operations

Write Your Own Staffing Success Story

Contact Berks & Beyond today to find out how we can deliver real Results at Work for your organization.

The Problem:

An Allentown manufacturing firm was using three staffing agencies to supply general warehouse laborers for a specific number of positions.  The company was experiencing high turnover in these positions and their staffing suppliers were not consistently checking their employees’ criminal backgrounds as promised.

Despite communicating the vital role criminal background checks played in this manufacturer’s organization, as well as the problem turnover was causing, the manufacturer was not getting what they needed from their current staffing firms.

The Solution:

Berks & Beyond worked under a 30-day trial period, allowing this customer to evaluate the way we serviced their account.  We consistently completed criminal background checks, according to the client’s specifications, for every candidate who accepted an assignment with them.  We also let this customer know they could audit us at any time to verify our process.

The Results:

Now that the trial period is over, this client definitely gets what they need from Berks & Beyond.  Every candidate is routinely screened according to the manufacturer’s specifications, and turnover has gone down.  In fact, since we began placing our employees there, we have had only one person turnover!

“Berks & Beyond has served our needs in a timely manner and completed everything as promised.  Turnover is under control, which is what we needed, as well as background checks being done finally the way we needed them.  Berks & Beyond is professional and I would recommend them to anyone looking for consistency.”

–Shipping Manager

Write Your Own Staffing Success Story

Contact Berks & Beyond today to find out how we can deliver real Results at Work for your organization.

The Problem:

After undergoing a major lay-off several months ago, a Reading battery manufacturer received a large order from a client.  With a greatly reduced workforce, the manufacturer knew their core staff would struggle to get the job done. 

The battery manufacturer needed qualified workers to manage peak production, without incurring the costs (e.g. unemployment, workers’ compensation, taxes) of bringing back the employees they had recently laid off.  After careful consideration, they knew they required additional temporary labor – right away.

The Solution:

Berks & Beyond worked with the Plant Manager to identify the types of positions, required skills and number of workers needed.  We then implemented a just-in-time staffing solution, recruiting and delivering talented candidates to handle their temporary upsurge in production.

To ensure the right fit, the Plant Manager retained control of the interviewing process.

The Results:

Just-in-time temporary staffing now complements this manufacturer’s core staff to effectively manage workload surges.  We currently have 13 temporary employees working at their location, with an additional 7 more needed in the coming weeks.  This client is able to quickly ramp-up staff to meet high-volume orders, without the additional expense and administrative burden of hiring and then laying-off permanent staff.

“Recently (we) needed to ramp-up an additional assembly line and positions in our back shop departments.  We decided to use Berks and Beyond Employment Services to fill these positions.  This was no small task, since we were requiring up to 20 workers ASAP.  However, the staff at Berks and Beyond had met our challenge quickly and with what appears to be satisfactory workers.  Thank you.”

–Plant Supervisor

Write Your Own Staffing Success Story

Contact Berks & Beyond today to find out how we can deliver real Results at Work for your organization.

Demand drives profit.  Cost-containment drives profit.  Efficient processes drive profit.

But can temporaries drive profits?

Absolutely.  By deploying the right staffing strategy, you can greatly enhance your ability to control costs, improve productivity and manage risk.

Need proof?  If so, you’ll appreciate the following case study of a business that discovered the profitable benefits of strategic temporary staffing:

CASE STUDY:  Enacting New Plans

The Challenge:  A public transportation department decided to expand service offerings by building a new trade and transit center.  They needed to hire ten additional employees, ranging from bus operators, to service reps, to a project manager – all under a tight budget, and without the help of a human resources department.

The Solution:  The transportation department relied on a staffing service to source candidates, using a combination of advertising and database searches.  To fill the positions quickly – without sacrificing quality – they used several service options, including temporary hires, temp-to-direct options and direct placement.  The staffing firm also developed specialized application forms to gather critical records such as background check releases and drug screen consent forms.

The Results:  Thanks to this staffing services’ recruiting capabilities, the transportation department reviewed at least three qulified candidates for each position.  And using their hiring system, all of the positions were filled on-time and within budget.

By outsourcing the recruiting process and using temporary and temp-to-hire services, the department shifted and reduced overhead expenses.  In doing so, they enjoyed significant cost savings.

Productivity also improved.  Because staffing specialists focused on recruiting and hiring, the department’s employees could concentrate on core job concerns.

Finally, the transportation department minimized their exposure to hiring risks.  By taking advantage of temp-to-hire services, the department was able to try out potential employees on the job before extending an offer for employment – thereby reducing their chances of making bad hiring decisions.  Legal exposure was also reduced, because the service followed non-discriminatory hiring practices for direct hires and assumed all tax and reporting requirements for temporary employees.

Berks & Beyond Can Help Drive Your Profits

With a full complement of staffing service options, Berks & Beyond Employment Services can customize a staffing plan that will enhance your company’s profitability.  Call us today to learn how.

Case #1:  Recruiting Challenge

The Problem:

Loretta Garner, Office and Warehouse Manager for PB Heat, experienced ongoing difficulties in both recruiting candidates and identifying people with the right “fit” for her organization.  Ms. Garner tried using several staffing agencies, but they were unable to deliver the caliber of talent this manufacturer of residential and commercial boilers needed.

The Solution:

Tired of managing the frustrations of recruiting on her own, Ms. Garner began using Berks and Beyond - exclusively.  Our staffing experts took the time to understand the skills, experience and personality traits essential to success in her company. 

We combined thorough interviewing and skills testing with knowledge of PB Heat’s corporate culture to identify candidates who would best match their diverse needs.

The Results:

As PB Heat’s exclusive staffing provider, we consistently deliver high-quality candidates with the right “fit” for PB Heat.  In Ms. Garner’s words:

“Berks and Beyond has successfully filled our orders for over six years in a timely, efficient, friendly manner.  They have consistently provided top-quality candidates for all of our diverse positions.  Since using Berks and Beyond, we have not had to utilize any other agency!  Keep up the good work, Danielle and Heidi!  Berks and Beyond is wonderful!”

Case #2:  High Turnover

The Problem:

A small manufacturing firm in Allentown, PA was plagued with chronic turnover.  The plant manager spent countless hours working with multiple staffing vendors to find reliable employees.  He even tried speaking to his staff directly about the importance of attendance, but with little success.  He turned to Berks and Beyond to end his expensive and inefficient hire-train-fire cycle.

The Solution:

Our staffing specialist suggested implementing a single-source solution.  Although this meant we would have to bid against national competitors for the client’s business, we knew an exclusive relationship was in the client’s best interest - streamlining their staffing function and reducing their turnover. 

Our bid was not the lowest; but the high quality, consistent service we’d provided this client in the past prompted them to award us their exclusive business.

The Results:

Working exclusively with Berks and Beyond has dramatically reduced this client’s turnover and minimized attendance and tardiness issues.  No longer forced to keep track of multiple employees from multiple staffing agencies, the plant manager is now free to focus on his most important priorities.

Write Your Own Staffing Success Story

Contact Berks & Beyond today to find out how we can deliver real Results at Work for your organization.

At Berks and Beyond, we want to make staffing simpler and more effective for you.  We examine the challenges you face in your business, then develop solutions that deliver the results you need.  The following case study demonstrates our results at work:

The Problem:

A major international company in Hamburg, PA was a heavy user of staffing.  To ensure access to the high numbers of temporaries they needed, they attempted to work with three different staffing services to “make sure their bases were covered.”  However, trying to coordinate staffing needs among three suppliers proved both frustrating and complicated for HR.

The Solution:

Our staffing specialist suggested implementing a single-source solution.  By working with only one staffing service (and one point of contact), HR would experience less confusion and fewer staffing-related headaches.

The Results:

Working exclusively with Berks and Beyond has greatly simplified our client’s staffing activities.  Our continual recruiting efforts allow us to deliver the employees they need – right when they’re needed.  We currently supply 60 to 100 temporaries per week for this client, depending on their workload.  As an added benefit, our strengthened relationship has yielded an even better quality of fit between our client and the employees we provide.

Write Your Own Staffing Success Story

Contact Berks & Beyond today to find out how we can deliver real Results at Work for your organization.