Kelly Services, Inc. (KELYA): History, Ownership, Mission, How It Works & Makes Money

Ever wondered how a company that practically invented the staffing industry continues to thrive in today's rapidly evolving world of work? Kelly Services Inc. (KELYA), since its inception in 1946, has adapted to meet the changing demands of the workforce, but how exactly does it operate and generate revenue in 2025? With a **$4.3 billion** in revenue for 2024, Kelly Services has proven its resilience, but what are the key strategies and business segments driving this success, and how does the company plan to expand its adjusted EBITDA margin in fiscal year 2025?

This article dives into the history, ownership structure, mission, and operational model of Kelly Services, offering a comprehensive overview of how this global workforce solutions provider remains a relevant and influential player in the talent industry. Keep reading to discover the inner workings of Kelly Services and its strategies for continued growth and innovation.

Kelly Services, Inc. (KELYA) History

Kelly Services, Inc. Founding Timeline

Year established

The company was established in 1946.

Original location

The company was originally located in Detroit, Michigan.

Founding team members

The company was founded by William Russell Kelly.

Initial capital/funding

William Russell Kelly initially invested $1,000 in the company, which was then called Russell Kelly Office Services.

Kelly Services, Inc. Evolution Milestones

Kelly Services, Inc. Transformative Moments

• Diversification of Services: Expanding from office staffing to include light industrial, IT, and engineering roles broadened the company's market reach and revenue streams.
• Global Expansion: Opening offices internationally, starting with Toronto in 1966, allowed the company to tap into new markets and serve global clients.
• Technological Adaptation: Embracing technology to manage workforce solutions and adapting to remote work trends during the COVID-19 pandemic ensured business continuity and relevance.
• Strategic Acquisitions: Acquisitions of companies with specialized expertise, such as IT or healthcare staffing, enhanced its service offerings and market position.

These transformative moments reflect the company's ability to adapt to changing market conditions, technological advancements, and evolving client needs, contributing to its long-term success and industry leadership. As of the fiscal year 2024, the company reported revenues of approximately $4.85 billion, highlighting its significant scale and impact in the staffing and workforce solutions industry.

For further insights into the company's investor profile, explore: Exploring Kelly Services, Inc. (KELYA) Investor Profile: Who’s Buying and Why?

Kelly Services, Inc. (KELYA) Ownership Structure

Kelly Services, Inc. features a dual-class ownership structure, distinguishing between Class A and Class B shares, impacting voting rights and control. To gain more insights into who is investing and the reasons behind their decisions, you can read Exploring Kelly Services, Inc. (KELYA) Investor Profile: Who’s Buying and Why?.

Kelly Services, Inc.'s Current Status

Kelly Services, Inc. is a publicly traded company, listed on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbols KELYA (Class A shares) and KELYB (Class B shares). This means that ownership is distributed among public shareholders, who can buy and sell shares of the company on the open market.

Kelly Services, Inc.'s Ownership Breakdown

As a publicly traded company, Kelly Services' ownership is distributed among various shareholders. Here's a general overview of the ownership structure:

Kelly Services, Inc.'s Leadership

Kelly Services is guided by a team of experienced leaders. As of April 2025, key figures include:

• Peter W. Quigley: President and Chief Executive Officer
• Olivier Thirot: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
• Amy Steindler: Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer
• Mark Buckley: Senior Vice President, Corporate Development and M&A

Kelly Services, Inc. (KELYA) Mission and Values

Kelly Services, Inc. aims to connect people with work in ways that enrich their lives, offering workforce solutions to companies and opportunities to individuals. Their values emphasize integrity, innovation, and a commitment to social responsibility.

Kelly Services' Core Purpose

Official mission statement

Kelly Services' mission statement is: Kelly connects people to work in ways that enrich their lives.

• This statement reflects a dual commitment: serving both businesses and job seekers.
• It emphasizes the transformative power of meaningful employment.

Vision statement

Kelly Services' vision is to be the world’s best workforce solutions company that connects great talent with great companies.

• Aims for global leadership in workforce solutions.
• Focuses on creating mutually beneficial relationships between talent and organizations.

Company slogan/tagline

Kelly Services' tagline is 'Powering the World of Work'.

• This tagline encapsulates the company's role in facilitating employment and driving productivity.
• It highlights their influence on the global labor market.

For more insights into Kelly Services' stakeholders, check out: Exploring Kelly Services, Inc. (KELYA) Investor Profile: Who’s Buying and Why?

Kelly Services, Inc. (KELYA) How It Works

Kelly Services, Inc. operates as a global workforce solutions provider, connecting businesses with the talent they need and assisting individuals in finding employment opportunities.

Kelly Services, Inc.'s Product/Service Portfolio

Kelly Services, Inc. provides a comprehensive array of workforce solutions designed to address diverse client needs across various industries. These solutions include:

Kelly Services, Inc.'s Operational Framework

Kelly Services, Inc.'s operational framework is built upon a foundation of connecting businesses with qualified talent and assisting individuals in finding meaningful employment. The company achieves this through a multi-faceted approach:

• Client Engagement: Understanding the workforce needs of businesses through consultations and assessments.
• Talent Acquisition: Recruiting, screening, and assessing candidates to match them with suitable job opportunities.
• Placement and Management: Placing candidates in temporary or permanent positions and managing their performance and compliance.
• Technology Integration: Leveraging technology to streamline processes, enhance communication, and improve efficiency.
• Compliance and Risk Management: Ensuring adherence to legal and regulatory requirements to mitigate risks for both clients and employees.

To gain more insight into the core values that guide Kelly Services, Inc., you can explore: Mission Statement, Vision, & Core Values of Kelly Services, Inc. (KELYA).

Kelly Services, Inc.'s Strategic Advantages

Kelly Services, Inc. maintains several strategic advantages that enable it to compete effectively in the workforce solutions market:

• Global Network: Extensive network of offices and resources worldwide, allowing it to serve clients and candidates across various geographic locations.
• Industry Expertise: Deep understanding of specific industries and workforce trends, enabling it to provide tailored solutions.
• Technology Innovation: Investment in technology to enhance recruitment processes, candidate matching, and client service delivery.
• Strong Brand Reputation: Established brand with a long history of providing reliable workforce solutions.
• Comprehensive Service Offering: Wide range of services, from temporary staffing to outsourcing, catering to diverse client needs.

Kelly Services, Inc. (KELYA) How It Makes Money

Kelly Services, Inc. primarily generates revenue by providing staffing and workforce management solutions to companies across various industries.

Kelly Services, Inc. Revenue Breakdown

Kelly Services operates through several segments, each contributing to its overall revenue. While specific percentages may fluctuate annually, the core revenue streams and their trends can be outlined.

Kelly Services, Inc. Business Economics

Kelly Services' business economics are driven by several key factors:

• Service Pricing: Kelly Services determines its pricing based on factors such as the skill level required for the position, the geographic location, and the overall demand for talent. They typically charge clients an hourly rate that covers the wage paid to the temporary employee, plus a margin to cover their operational costs and generate profit.
• Economic Sensitivity: The demand for staffing services is closely tied to the overall health of the economy. During economic expansions, companies tend to increase their use of temporary staff to meet rising demand. Conversely, during economic downturns, companies may reduce their reliance on temporary staff to cut costs.
• Industry Diversification: Kelly Services mitigates risk by serving a diverse range of industries, including technology, healthcare, finance, and manufacturing. This diversification helps to cushion the impact of economic downturns in any single industry.
• Technological Investments: Investments in technology, such as AI-powered recruiting platforms and data analytics tools, improve efficiency and candidate matching. These technologies help to reduce costs and improve service delivery.

Kelly Services, Inc. Financial Performance

Kelly Services' financial performance can be assessed through the following points:

• Revenue Trends: Monitoring the year-over-year revenue growth provides insights into the company's ability to grow its business and gain market share.
• Gross Profit Margin: The gross profit margin, which is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue, indicates the company's efficiency in providing its services. A higher gross profit margin suggests that the company is effectively managing its costs.
• Operating Expenses: Analyzing operating expenses, such as selling, administrative, and marketing costs, helps to understand how efficiently the company is managing its overhead.
• Net Income: Net income, or the bottom line, reflects the company's overall profitability after all expenses and taxes.
• Cash Flow: Strong cash flow from operations is essential for funding investments in growth initiatives, acquisitions, and shareholder returns.
• Debt Levels: Monitoring the company's debt levels and interest coverage ratio helps to assess its financial risk.

For more insights into the ownership and investor profile of Kelly Services, check out: Exploring Kelly Services, Inc. (KELYA) Investor Profile: Who’s Buying and Why?

Kelly Services, Inc. (KELYA) Market Position & Future Outlook

Kelly Services is strategically positioned to navigate the evolving workforce solutions landscape, focusing on specialized talent and innovative service delivery. The company aims to capitalize on growth opportunities while mitigating potential risks through diversification and operational efficiency.

Competitive Landscape

Opportunities & Challenges

Industry Position

Kelly Services operates within the global staffing and workforce solutions industry, which is characterized by intense competition and evolving client needs. The company differentiates itself through:

• Focusing on specialized talent segments.
• Leveraging technology to enhance service delivery.
• Building strong client relationships.

Kelly Services' industry standing is also influenced by its commitment to corporate social responsibility and ethical business practices. For more in-depth insights, check out Mission Statement, Vision, & Core Values of Kelly Services, Inc. (KELYA).