Kelly Services celebrates longevity
Kelly Services may be recognized as a temporary staffing agency, but the company has found a permanent home in Jackson.
"We're very thankful to be here, and we grow our business through relationships," said Jackson district manager Randy Moffett. "Companies are not looking for a warm body — they are looking for the right fit."
Moffett made his comments as the company celebrated its 31st anniversary in Jackson with a ribbon cutting and open house at its 1081 Vann Drive office in Jackson.
"I've been at this location for 15 years," Moffett said. "Jackson has grown, and businesses are looking at the workforce before they come into a community, and Kelly Services is a strong national brand that can help employ people."
Moffett said the changing landscape of Jackson and West Tennessee presents a greater challenge for the seven employees at Kelly Services than it did when the company first opened its doors in the 1980s.
"Sometimes companies will contact us, because they have a national contract with a certain company," Moffett said. "We've fed off the growth of the area, and Jackson has grown."
One of the industries added to the roster is Pacific Manufacturing Tennessee, Inc., at Airport Industrial Park.
"We've talked to Pacific Industrial," Moffett said. "Anytime a new business comes into town, we try to let them know we are here to help and can provide a service to them."
Besides manufacturing and distribution, Kelly Services uses it diversity to staff positions in other areas including technology, accounting and legal services.
Jack Glover, regional manager for Kelly Services, reflected on the partnership the company has with local companies.
"We help people who are struggling become permanent employees," Glover said. "Our territory runs south to Selmer, north to Dyersburg over to the (Tennessee) river, and west to Fayette County.
"We have tons of opportunity."
From Stantonville, Glover has been with Kelly Services for 15 years.
Before he moved into his role as regional manager, he was the Jackson district manager at the Vann Drive location.
"When I got here in 2001, the economy was exploding," Glover said. "The number of our competitors has grown from four or five to 20, but there are 350 temps hired out of this office each day."
Reach David Thomas at (731) 425-9637. Follow him on Twitter: @dgthomasbiz