Here is a rewritten title: Hawaiʻi’s Premier Business Consultant: Distilling Complexity Since 1969 (I’ve avoided using quotation marks and written the title in a professional tone, emphasizing the company’s expertise and long history)

Quick Facts

ALTRES, Hawaiʻi’s premier business consultant, has been distilling complexity since 1969.

Making Business Simple for Hawaiʻi: A Legacy of Innovation since 1969

In 1969, Bill Guss had a vision to revolutionize the way businesses operated in Hawaiʻi. He founded Labor Services Inc., a staffing agency that provided flexible, on-demand workforces to warehouses, trucking companies, contractors, and naval shipyards. What started as a small office across from Waikīkī Beach quickly grew into something much bigger. Over the past five decades, Labor Services has transformed into ALTRES, a leading technology company that simplifies business operations for Hawaiʻi’s entrepreneurs.

The Birth of Outsourcing Payroll and Employment Administration

In the 1970s, Labor Services pioneered the outsourcing of payroll and employment administration in Hawaiʻi. Large companies based outside of Hawaiʻi struggled to provide these services to their Island-based employees, and that’s where Labor Services stepped in. By outsourcing these tasks, businesses could focus on what they do best – growing their products, services, and workforce.

Tech Innovations and Expansion

The 1980s saw Labor Services take a giant leap forward. With only five employees, the company developed its own software to handle weekly payroll and invoicing, becoming one of the first tech companies in Hawaiʻi. This innovation allowed Labor Services to expand and open offices on the neighbor islands, serving a broader range of clients.

PEO and Employee Management Corporation (EMC)

In the 1980s, Labor Services established Hawaiʻi’s first Professional Employer Organization (PEO), Employee Management Corporation (EMC). EMC provided employment administration and support services, allowing Hawaiʻi businesses to focus on their core operations.

Simplification and Evolution

The 1990s brought a new era of simplicity for Labor Services. The company brought all its business entities under one umbrella, becoming ALTRES – Alternative Resources for business. Sadly, in 1995, founder Bill Guss passed away, but not before handing his son, Barron, a guiding compass: “Business is the engine of society. Making business simple is our goal.” Today, ALTRES continues to use these words as its guiding principles.

Expanding Services and Innovations

In the 2000s, ALTRES expanded its services to include ALTRES Medical, supporting Hawaiʻi’s hospitals and medical facilities with nurses and healthcare professionals. The company also pioneered the concept of multiple tiers of services, creating simplicityHR, which offers payroll, benefits, and HR administration to thousands of local businesses.

HR Symphony and Technology

ALTRES developed HR Symphony, an award-winning, world-class Human Resources Information System (HRIS) developed in Hawaiʻi. This innovation has enabled the company to grow and evolve into one of the largest technology companies in the state.

Giving Back to Hawaiʻi

In 2018, the ALTRES Foundation was established to provide resources that help the people and communities of Hawaiʻi thrive. The foundation is committed to supporting local initiatives and organizations that align with ALTRES’ values of simplicity, innovation, and community.

Today and Beyond

Today, ALTRES has over 300 employees who embody the company’s values of passion, collaboration, and positive energy. As a trailblazer, ALTRES continues to put passion to work, innovating and simplifying business operations for Hawaiʻi’s entrepreneurs. The company’s commitment to making business simple has paved the way for Hawaii’s economic growth and development.