PITH Products finds HR success with Insperity

Building a foundation for sustained growth

When Tim Blaisdell took the reins at PITH Products in 2023, he looked for ways to streamline and prepare for the future. He realized the importance of getting the groundwork right.

Blaisdell knew that HR outsourcing could be key to keeping his workforce lean and focused on their primary function – building the high-quality products they’re known for. And that commitment to quality is ultimately what led him to partner with Insperity.

“I put the numbers next to each other. And Insperity is not the cheapest, and that’s cool. I’m not much of a low-cost provider guy. I think you get what you pay for,” Blaisdell said. “Insperity has more options and better (medical benefits) coverage. I mean, it’s a no-brainer.”

For over 30 years, PITH Products has been a trusted name in the aerospace sector, delivering custom tool storage systems and packaging solutions to some of the world’s leading equipment manufacturers. Based in Ashford, Connecticut, the company’s commitment to quality has solidified its reputation and fueled steady growth.

When PITH Products underwent this leadership transition, the company faced a new era of opportunity. While its focus on precision and meeting strict operational standards remained unwavering, its HR processes needed significant attention to enable the company’s sustained growth. That’s where Insperity stepped in.

Taking stock and getting started

PITH Products had decades of steady business, mostly surrounding its physical location in Connecticut, when Blaisdell stepped up to the plate.

“Ninety-nine percent of our business was within 60 miles of the shop. And we’re right in the middle of Connecticut – Aerospace Alley,” Blaisdell said. “That’s why we purchased the company, and that’s why they brought me in to grow it, because we think we have a really good opportunity to scale this quite quickly.

“It was exciting because I’m a partnership growth guy. I like laying the foundation, but what I really enjoy is talking to other companies and figuring out how to get better and how to get bigger and do it sustainably,” he said. “I had to lay that foundation, the ERP, the roles, responsibilities, get people in the right places.”

At this point, PITH Products managed HR responsibilities in-house, tackling everything manually. While this approach functioned, it placed unnecessary strain on resources and left gaps in efficiency.

The deciding factor for an HR partnership

When looking at his options for HR support, Blaisdell ran the numbers and realized he couldn’t skimp on the quality of the offering he would choose.

“We’re not the lowest (cost) crate manufacturer, box manufacturer – but we have customer service, and we have excellence that keeps customers coming back,” he continued. “I didn’t mind a little more money if everything was good. I wanted reputation. I wanted constant service. And I felt very comfortable that Insperity was going to have that.”

What stood out to Blaisdell was the comprehensive package that Insperity offered. The Insperity® HR360 solution that PITH Products uses helps with HR administration, compliance, payroll and technology, and provides employees with access to a competitive benefits package.

“I only have five people in the office. I have people out there building stuff, craftsmen and craftswomen,” Blaisdell said. “I liked that I could outsource certain HR responsibilities, all those things that would take probably one to two to three heads internally.”

“We have more time to do what we should be doing and not admin stuff,” he said. “The Insperity partnership takes hours of work off my desk.”

A partnership that’s built for what’s ahead

Rather than growing the shop in Connecticut, Blaisdell’s vision is to expand PITH Products to other aerospace hubs around the country, manufacturing these specialized products where they’re needed most.

“My goal is not to grow this facility a ton. It’s to take this facility and drop it in other Aerospace Alleys. I want to drop PITH satellites: PITH West, PITH Southwest, PITH Midwest,” Blaisdell said. “That’s how, in my mind, we grow.”

Insperity’s ability to provide services across the country, with state and federal HR expertise for each of these potential satellites, was key to the decision to partner.

“One of my big selling points for Insperity was that I could scale very easily with them.”

Investing in and retaining a skilled team

With its history as a family-owned business, PITH Products had a close-knit group of employees with long tenures. The company has always prioritized taking care of its team, understanding that engaged employees deliver the best results for clients.

“Out of the 16 full-time people, 10 or 12 were over-10-year employees,” Blaisdell said, recognizing that putting people first leads to satisfied, long-term employees.

The comprehensive benefits package provided to employees by Insperity makes a big difference.

“This is the best health care they’ve ever had, the most choices. It’s great to have the options for the 401(k),” Blaisdell said. “It’s more than they’ve ever had.”

In addition to these benefits, resources, such as employee training programs, have enhanced team morale and productivity. And when it comes to recognizing employees, Insperity’s performance-tracking resources have greatly impacted PITH Products’ existing processes. “We sit with every person. We go through what’s your responsibility, what’s your role, which was never done prior to 18 months ago, when we partnered with Insperity. And we use it for bonus time too. It’s much more objective,” Blaisdell said.

Access to HR expertise and functionality

From workplace safety inspections to assistance with worker’s compensation claims, the Insperity® HR360 solution has brought a new thoroughness to PITH Products’ operations. Routine consultations with Insperity’s team keep HR industry standards at the forefront and help the facility’s HR operations run at peak efficiency.

And with access to a responsive team and a comprehensive HR technology platform, managing day-to-day human resource needs both for leadership and employees has become easier.

“If somebody has a question, we have access to HR specialists, our client manager,” Blaisdell said. As for the technology platform, “I open it up every morning, and I’m on there probably 10 times a day, doing one thing or another.”

Blaisdell reflected on the ease of having many HR functions accessible within the single technology platform.

“It gets overwhelming, right? One place is the way to go,” he said.

A shared commitment to excellence and customer service

For PITH Products, a company deeply rooted in precision and quality, Insperity’s HR expertise and unwavering support have made a tangible impact. By aligning with Insperity, the company has streamlined operations, fostered a stronger culture and positioned itself for continued innovation in the aerospace sector.

“I don’t have to worry about the things Insperity is handling. I’ve just got to worry about the business,” Blaisdell said.

Looking ahead, the company is well-positioned to tackle new challenges and seize opportunities. With the Insperity HR360 solution enabling efficient HR management, PITH Products can focus on delivering best-in-class solutions to the aerospace sector while providing an exceptional workplace experience for its team.