Kaivac‘s Journey to Operational Excellence with ALINITI’s HR and Organizational Design Expertise
“ALINITI is very much integrated into our culture, just as if they were a standard team member. They’re an extension of who we are.”
Client Overview
Kaivac, an innovative leader in the commercial cleaning industry, has revolutionized the market with its groundbreaking products. Under the leadership of President Bob Robinson, Kaivac has secured over 20 patents, with 16 more pending, reflecting their commitment to innovation. Unlike conventional cleaning tools like mops and buckets, Kaivac’s systems are designed with the worker in mind, focusing on removing maximum soil in the least amount of time while minimizing physical strain. This unique approach not only enhances cleaning efficiency but also ensures a clean, healthy, and safe environment—a core value proposition that sets Kaivac apart in the market.
The Challenge
As Kaivac grew, so did the complexity of its operations. Initially, the company’s focus was on sales, which often led to the organizational structure and people development being deprioritized. However, as Bob Robinson explains, “At some point, in the life cycle of almost every organization, you get to this place where people become more and more important or become the issue.” The lack of attention to organizational design and structure began to present challenges, with constraints emerging as Kaivac’s growth continued. It became evident that to sustain their success, Kaivac needed a stronger focus on onboarding, culture establishment, and strategic HR practices.
The ALINITI Partnership
Recognizing that these areas were outside of their expertise, Kaivac turned to ALINITI, an HR consulting and recruiting firm known for its hands-on, integrated approach. Unlike other consultants who provide short-term solutions, ALINITI became deeply embedded in Kaivac’s culture from day one. “ALINITI is very much integrated into our culture, just as if they were a standard team member,” says Bob Robinson. “They’re an extension of who we are. They were here present and on the journey day one, and that was so refreshing to not feel like it was the flash in the pan.”
ALINITI’s involvement allowed Kaivac to step back and focus on working on the business rather than just in it. One of the key challenges they addressed was the need to redesign Kaivac’s organizational structure. ALINITI guided the company in creating an Operational Excellence team dedicated to handling day-to-day operations. This shift enabled Kaivac’s leadership to focus on strategic thinking and long-term growth.
Strategic Organizational Redesign
With ALINITI’s support, Kaivac successfully transitioned to a more strategic organizational design. The establishment of an Operational Excellence team not only streamlined daily operations but also freed up the executive team to concentrate on broader strategic initiatives. “ALINTI challenged us,” Bob recalls. “They said, ‘Hey, you need to redesign your organizational structure so that you’ve got this Operational Excellence team that handles the day-to-day stuff.'”
This restructuring was pivotal in allowing Kaivac to develop a strategic thinking team focused on the company’s future direction, rather than being bogged down by everyday operational concerns.
Conclusion
Kaivac’s collaboration with ALINITI has been instrumental in its journey toward sustained growth and operational excellence. By helping Kaivac redesign its organizational structure, and prioritize culture, and people development, ALINITI has ensured that the company is well-positioned for long-term success. “What we found is there were tools, techniques, and an active roadmap that was value-added from day one,” Bob Robinson emphasizes. “We have a saying at Kaivac: Do what you do best and partner for the rest.”
Thanks to ALINITI’s expertise, Kaivac has been able to focus on what they do best—manufacturing, designing, and developing innovative commercial cleaning systems—while leaving the complexities of HR and organizational design to trusted partners. This powerful partnership has allowed Kaivac to continue innovating and growing, taking the company to new heights.
For companies facing similar challenges in HR and organizational design, Kaivac’s experience with ALINITI serves as a compelling example of how the right partnership can lead to transformative results.
