Just in time for winter to melt into spring, employees at
Fettig watch from brand new 65-foot windows as the ice breaks up on the Grand River. That's the view from its newly remodeled 6,435-square-foot office space at 265 Leonard St. NW.
A welcome change from its old offices in Cascade at 6151 28th Street SE, the 16-person staffing agency moved in about two weeks ago after working with
Pinnacle Construction and
Kentwood Office Furniture over the last four months to convert the 1960s-era space into a modern, collaborative workspace.
"In the first couple weeks, I've noticed people using the space," says Mike Fettig, Vice President of Operations. "You're able to be a bit freer and move and not be confined to little spaces. I don't think people want to work in just one little chair anymore; there's a lot more flexibility."
Fettig says the new space, designed to have an "industrial loft feel," has a lot of open seating near the large windows overlooking the Grand River, with a multi-purpose room that can be used as a large conference room space or a gathering space, complete with a couch, television and café-style seating. There are also open-style interview pods and a video training room.
Another draw for Fettig is the proximity to Rapid bus lines, which it didn't have at its old location.
"For the applicants coming in, I see their faces looking around and thinking, 'Wow, that looks really nice.' We care about our applicants and the people we're placing," Fettig says. "It partners well with our culture and now we have a space that reflects that."
Fettig says this is the third time the company has expanded its office space since President Kim Fettig bought the agency and rebranded from its former name, Ameritemp Staffing, in 2007. He says Fettig has grown around 600 percent over the past eight years, hiring 450 people into full-time, permanent job positions over the last year.
"I believe the reason for the growth has been our focus on finding the right people for our customers," Fettig says. "A lot of our industry has focused on filling those with temporary positions and not focusing on what is primarily temp-to-hire positions."
He says Fettig's goal is to change the perception of staffing agencies in West Michigan by 2020, and he thinks the agency is up to the challenge.
"I want to change the perception of people who haven't wanted to work for staffing companies," he says. "I know we have good jobs and partner with good companies that care about people."
Written by Anya Zentmeyer, Development News Editor
Images courtesy of Fettig
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.