Arizona MEP Helps ASSA ABLOY Hire 120 New Employees
ASSA ABLOY is a global leader in access control solutions for businesses, governments, airports, hospitals, and schools. Its products include digital and electromagnetic locks, keypads, card readers, security doors, and automated entrances. Headquartered in Sweden, ASSA ABLOY reported approximately $9.9 billion in global annual sales in 2020.
The company’s Phoenix facility manufactures products for five ASSA ABLOY brands serving customers worldwide.
Arizona MEP and ASSA ABLOY began working together nearly three years ago after Trey Pitman, Senior Manager of Organizational Development and Environmental Health and Safety, reconnected with Arizona MEP following a Lean 101 workshop he had attended previously. Since then, Arizona MEP has partnered with ASSA ABLOY to support business growth through workforce, Lean, and training solutions.
On-Site Hiring and Recruitment Support
Rapid sales growth in power supply products and the relocation of operations from Illinois to Arizona created an urgent need to hire 120 employees. ASSA ABLOY’s HR team did not have the capacity to recruit and onboard staff at the required pace, prompting the company to work with Arizona MEP to develop a short-term solution.
Arizona MEP assigned a senior client advisor with recruitment experience to serve as an extension of ASSA ABLOY’s HR team. In this role, the advisor acted as the primary point of contact for staffing agencies, connected with local workforce development programs, coordinated recruitment marketing efforts, and interviewed and hired direct applicants from the company’s website.
“This solution worked for us because we only needed these services for a short time,” said Pitman. “The client advisor already knew our organization and could speak to recruits as if she were an employee.”
By leveraging Arizona MEP’s short-term recruitment support, ASSA ABLOY avoided significant staffing delays that could have resulted in lost revenue.
Training Partnerships That Benefit the Manufacturing Community
ASSA ABLOY is a mature Lean organization that prioritizes ongoing employee development. However, many training programs required large class sizes, making it difficult to pull enough employees away from production at once.
To solve this challenge, ASSA ABLOY partnered with Arizona MEP to host training sessions at its facility while inviting other manufacturers to participate. This approach allowed ASSA ABLOY to meet class size requirements, expose peers to a mature Lean environment, and receive feedback from visiting manufacturers.
“ASSA ABLOY hosts the training at our facility, I send five of my people, and Arizona MEP brings in other clients to fill the class,” said Pitman. “It benefits everyone involved.”
Arizona MEP hosted multiple Lean 101 simulation workshops and a Lean for the office environment workshop at the facility.
Although in-person training paused during the pandemic, Arizona MEP continued supporting ASSA ABLOY through virtual leadership training covering DISC assessments, delegation, coaching for development, and project management.
A Trusted Solutions Partner
Arizona MEP has become a trusted solutions provider for ASSA ABLOY by delivering targeted consulting, training, and connections to broader business and government resources.
“As an advisor, I can help clients avoid costs they might otherwise incur,” said Tanya Perkins, Arizona MEP Senior Client Advisor. “Sometimes that means connecting them to the right program or helping them see a more effective strategy.”
“We have a high-performing team, but sometimes we face challenges and don’t know the best path forward,” said Pitman. “My first call is usually to my advisor at Arizona MEP. They are deeply connected across the state and often help point us in the right direction.”
Through continued engagement with Arizona MEP services, ASSA ABLOY estimates business savings of more than $200,000 at its Phoenix facility.
“We value our partnership with Arizona MEP,” Pitman concluded. “They enable us to grow more easily and are truly a partner we can rely on.”
Results
- Created 120 new jobs while retaining 20 existing positions
- Increased sales by $10 million
- Retained $30 million in sales by addressing staffing needs
- Saved $80,000 in recruitment costs through Arizona MEP support