New Berlin employers launch health insurance pool
More than 600 employers in the city of New Berlin plan to pool their resources in a buying consortium that will negotiate for lower employee health insurance costs.
The New Berlin HR Committee (NBHRC), which was formed six months ago, will create the consortium, according to the organization’s president, Jessica Ollenburg, who also is the president of Human Resource Services, Greenfield.
The NBHRC kicked off its New Berlin revitalization programs during a breakfast event Sept. 9.
The organization was designed by Ollenburg’s firm and is reacting to the interests expressed by the New Berlin Industrial Association (NBIA), which represents about 600 New Berlin businesses, Ollenburg said.
A primary mission of the NBHRC will be to establish the buying consortium to generate better leverage in negotiations for health care insurance, she said.
"That’s one of the areas of greater demand. It’s definitely a primary factor," Ollenburg said.
The industrial association has grown and is now representing businesses beyond the traditional manufacturing companies in its membership, she said.
"The industrial parks in New Berlin have been attracting other businesses, in addition to manufacturing," she said.
Human Resource Services has provided significant resources, contributing the originating strategic plan, mission statement, initial research and committee invitations for the New Berlin organization, she said.
The startup committee for the group includes Ken Matheson, representing the NBIA, and former New Berlin Mayor Tim Tully of Personnel Dynamics.
Focus group participants and/or new committee members include representatives from Schroeder Cos., Tekra Corp., Velvac, New Berlin Plastics, Sax Arts & Crafts, LindenGrove Health Care Centers, Payne & Dolan, Sells Printing, Midland Plastics, Christopher Morgan LLC, OSI Outsourcing, Security Insurance & Financial and the New Berlin Chamber of Commerce.
The NBHRC offers seven startup programs, including an HRM buying consortium, a shared training initiative, an assessment center and a dedicated talent pool.
The programs are designed in both anticipation of and reaction to economic changes, anticipated growth and preservation of corporate resources, Ollenburg said.
Sept. 19, 2003 Small Business Times, Milwaukee
