When COVID-19 hit in 2020, Kim Wachs, chief human resources officer for Wisconsin Lift Truck Corp., a member of Brookfield-based Wolter Group LLC, was instrumental in implementing policies and procedures throughout the system to help keep employees safe.
Wachs took care of facility protocols, work-from-home policies, CARES Act leave programs, furlough processes, etc. She is responsible for all human resources functions including recruitment, training, and retaining staff, as well as safety, payroll, insurance and retirement benefits.
“As a result of her timely and professional actions in coordination with the executive team we were able to swiftly implement processes to protect our staff while continuing to serve our customers,” said Wolter Group president Jerry Weidmann.
Prior to COVID-19, the business was growing organically and through acquisition. Wachs led the efforts to implement recruitment of staff to replace retiring workers as well as to develop the team for the future. This includes coordination of hiring programs as well as recruitment incentives, apprentice programs and onboarding of new hires and individuals joining the firm through acquisition.
Wachs has managed the onboarding of the staff of five acquisitions completed in 2019 and 2020. The retention rates are above average, even with all of the changes and transitions inherent in acquisitions.
