Kelly Services
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Staffing, Human resource consulting, Management consulting |
| Predecessor | Russell Kelly Office Service, Kelly Girl Service, Inc. |
| Founded | 1946 |
| Founder | William Russell Kelly |
| Headquarters | Troy, Michigan , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Peter Quigley (CEO) |
| Products | Staffing services, human resource consulting, management consulting, outsourcing, recruitment, career transition assistance, vendor management services |
Number of employees | 8,100 (2015) |
| Website | www |
Kelly Services, Inc.—originally known as Russell Kelly Office Service and later Kelly Girl Service, Inc.—is a global American firm specializing in office staffing. The company places personnel across multiple industries including financial services, information technology, and legal sectors. Its offerings encompass human resource and management consulting, outsourcing, recruitment, career transition assistance, and vendor management services. Established in 1946 by William Russell Kelly, Kelly Services is headquartered in Troy, Michigan.
History
The organization was founded in 1946 by William Russell Kelly under the name Russell Kelly Office Service, initially providing office support within client premises. As demand evolved, employees began working directly at client locations, pioneering the concept of temporary staffing. These primarily female workers became popularly known as Kelly Girls, a term that came to represent temporary workers industry-wide. In 1957, the company changed its name to Kelly Girl Service, Inc., and by 1966 it broadened its scope to include industrial and technical staffing, adopting the current name Kelly Services, Inc.
In 2008, Kelly Services was involved in a $6.5 million legal case concerning discrimination linked to an employee’s association with the Fellowship of Friends cult.
By 2015, the firm employed approximately 8,100 individuals and achieved revenues of $5.5 billion, positioning it among the largest staffing companies worldwide. This financial performance remained consistent through 2018.
Peter Quigley has held the position of CEO since 2019.
In May 2024, Kelly Services enhanced its specialty talent capabilities through the acquisition of Motion Recruitment Partners for $425 million in cash.
See also
External links
- Articles with short description
- Companies listed on the Nasdaq
- Companies based in Troy, Michigan
- Business services companies established in 1946
- Management consulting firms of the United States
- Human resource management consulting firms
- Temporary employment agencies
- Employment agencies of the United States
- 1946 establishments in Michigan