Seven Grocery Chains Select Unicru to Automate Hiring and Improve Employee Retention
Next generation hiring management solution emerging as an essential strategy
for improving grocery operations and profitability.
PORTLAND, Ore. – July 18, 2002 – Unicru, Inc. the nation’s leading provider
of hiring management systems for the recruiting and retention of hourly
workers, today announced that seven national and regional grocery chains
selected Unicru’s hourly hiring management system solution in the second
quarter of 2002. Albertson’s, Acme Markets, Big Y, The Fresh Market, Jewel,
Osco Drug and Sav-On join other grocery leaders such as Kroger, A&P, Spartan
Stores and Farm Fresh in utilizing Unicru’s smart, automated hiring
management system that both reduces hiring costs and systematically improves
worker retention and productivity. This trend in the grocery industry
reflects increased awareness that the Unicru hiring management solution
makes it possible to lower personnel and hiring costs while improving store
operations and customer service.
“Unicru’s solution is a perfect match for our ongoing corporate initiatives
of cost control, and operational excellence,” said Bill Bailey, vice
president of human resources at The Fresh Market. “We believe Unicru’s
service will measurably reduce employee turnover and allow us to enhance the
level of service we provide our customers.” The Fresh Market is
headquartered in Greensboro, N.C. and has 33 locations in the Southeast.
The grocery chains have implemented Unicru’s Hiring Management System, which
reduces recruiting costs, increases tax credit screenings and saves hiring
managers’ time with a more efficient hiring process. Grocery industry
statistics indicate that the average cost to replace an employee is
approximately $3,000. As the only company to offer a truly integrated
service, Unicru’s system can reduce employee turnover by 10-30 percent by
scientifically selecting employees for job fit, improving tenure
predictability over time with closed-loop feedback into the selection
process. This benefit is generally achieved while increasing applicant flow,
lowering recruitment expenses, increasing tax credit participation, and
shortening hiring time by more than 50 percent.
“We’re thrilled to see the acceptance by the grocery market leaders to boost
profitability and decrease their operating costs by automating what are
typically lengthy and labor intensive processes,” said Chris Marsh,
president and chief executive officer of Unicru. “Our clients are finding
that this smart technology is a proven way of applying scientific methods to
improve workplace performance.”
With the Unicru solution job candidates simply complete an electronic,
paperless application including tailored assessment questions using an
on-site computer or screen phone to apply for a position. Upon completion,
each applicant’s response is immediately transmitted to Unicru’s secure
database where the information is processed and evaluated against criteria
derived from previous successful employees. Almost immediately, the hiring
manager uses a Web desktop to review pre-hire summaries and all relevant
hiring reports, which include both an easy-to-read application and a
candidate report that recommends follow-up interview questions. Applicants
benefit from a much faster, more objective application process and assurance
that their background, personalities and skills are well suited to their new
job. As a result, employees are likely to be more satisfied in their jobs
and be able to offer a higher level of job productivity and customer
service.
About Unicru
Unicru, Inc. is the leading provider of hiring management systems for
employers of more than 80 percent of the American workforce -- hourly
workers. The Unicru system is deployed via on-site application centers, the
Web, and through back-office processing of employers’ job applications,
hiring, and terminations. With more than 13,000 on-site application centers
and Web-based solutions, large retailers, call centers, and hospitality
businesses use Unicru’s services nationwide. Unicru has processed more than
10 million job applications and evaluates approximately one application per
second during the average U.S. workday. Clients include Universal Studios,
Blockbuster Entertainment, Metro One, Target, and Bennigan’s. On average,
Unicru customers decrease employee turnover by 10-30 percent and reduce
hiring time by more than half. For more information visit the company`s Web
site at www.unicru.com.
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Jack Hardy, APR
Ant Hill Marketing
360.604.4799 office
360-609-0501 mobile
jack@anthillmarketing.com
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