Why a Manufacturing Company Chose Stratus Over Traditional HR Software

Overview

Founded in 2008, a Utah-based manufacturing company has produced quality silencers for hunters, shooters, and gun enthusiasts. As shooters themselves, the founders held one core belief: guns don’t have to be loud. With attention to product detail and a keen knowledge of the needs of the marketplace, the company has produced more silencers in that time than anyone else in the world.

Problem

In their 15 years of existence, the company has had to adapt to changing supply-and-demand conditions in the marketplace. As a result, their workforce has grown and contracted as needed, ranging from 100 to more than 300 employees.

Given the flux and flex in the market, instead of having a dedicated HR team on staff, the company sought a partner that could help provide great service to their employees without adding to the overall

“We were looking for a partner that could help us maintain a really lean team,” said the head of HR. “Someone that could help us be accurate and timely with payroll and compliance, as well as help us provide a cost effective yet robust health package for our employees. An HR on-demand resource rather than a full-on HR internal department.

“At times we’ve had to upscale quickly which required efficient onboarding. Other times we’ve had to downsize. Keeping our key employees became a priority. So, being able to process payroll accurately and on time and still offer a good benefit package became extremely important.”

Solution

During their due diligence, the company looked at their then payroll vendor Paylocity, and several HRAs (health reimbursement arrangements) and PEOs (professional employer organizations). They looked at combining a payroll provider with a benefits broker. And even considered keeping services in house.

Through it all, the lens at which the company looked at options was their own reputation in the marketplace.

“When you buy one of our products, you’re buying the very best accessory you can get,” explained the head of HR. “Our reputation hinges on all-around quality and customer service. We take that very seriously. So, when we look for vendor, that’s a big deal to us as well.

“It’s not the price point. That’s not the lead for us. We recognize that quality comes with a price. Customer service and the team standing behind the product is paramount to us. Which is why we went with Stratus. Their pricing was competitive with others in the marketplace but what carried the day was their reputation for customer service.”

With Stratus as their HR resource, the company gained the following

• Withholding and payroll are done accurately
• Compliance is taken care of; taxes are filed on time
• Health care package savings through bulk buying
• Peace of mind that all the above is handled without fail
• An on-demand HR resource
• Cost savings from not having to fully staff an internal HR department

Results

With Stratus, the manufacturing company is able to run very effectively with a smaller in-house HR staff, while providing great service, expertise in payroll, benefits, compliance, and other areas. They get support for their HR team from HR experts they didn’t have to hire and yet have on-demand access to.

“Stratus is a great solution for the right business,” continued HR executive. “There’s a profile of clients that are going to do quite well in the PEO structure, those that need professional level support and don't want to invest in the internal headcount to manage a full HR team. As an HR service provider, Stratus is a great solution. I would say they’re the best PEO that I've experienced.

“The Stratus team is awesome. Their responsiveness and follow-up are outstanding. They understand what’s important to us, where we’re going as an organization, what’s our strategic roadmap. They offer help, services, and expertise with issues they’ve seen to be successful with their other clients. Success in this relationship is all about that service model. I think that’s an area where Stratus shines.

“Customer service is not unique to Stratus, but the way they do it is absolutely a competitive advantage. You do a fantastic job with it. And there's a lot of people that try to give it lip service and Stratus delivers on it.”