The 2020 Fastest Growing Firms: J.J. Keller & Associates

Consulting: What were the main factors that contributed to your firm's exceptional growth?

Murray: In 2020, we have continued our focus on client-centered subscription services to advise professionals working in transportation, environmental health and safety and industries with hazardous materials. Throughout COVID-19, we have provided personalized support for clients to ensure safe workplaces, even as we ourselves navigated this challenging global pandemic. We did this by implementing our comprehensive pandemic plan and leveraging service delivery methods that put safety at the forefront. We also expanded our work around commercial driver training, introducing a new platform to provide flexible, blended learning for adults, delivered by instructors with extensive driving background and teaching experience. To date, we have added more than 100 new firms that have chosen us to help manage their compliance and safety programs on an ongoing basis.

Consulting: How is this year shaping up for your firm?

Murray: Despite outside economic factors impacting the global economy, it has been a great year for our clients and for J. J. Keller. Our clients view safety as an opportunity, not an obligation. Companies want to give their employees best-in-class safety management programs and effective compliance processes, and they recognize the expansive expertise at J. J. Keller will help them do exactly that. We added more than 100 positions to support the growth in our driver training line, at a time when many firms were reducing staff.

Consulting: How would you describe your firm's outlook for 2021? Where do you see the most opportunities?

Murray: Our outlook for 2021 is positive. In times of economic uncertainty, we historically see growth in Consulting as firms look to supplement their internal teams. We expect continued growth in demand for driver training and resources to build environmental health and safety. These opportunities stand out because of the specific nature of the regulatory requirements, and because of an increased need for delivery drivers and safe work environments.

Consulting: What would you say are your firm's biggest challenges in 2021?

Murray: Like other businesses, we will adapt to the new normal of working in the era of COVID-19. Beyond that, we will continue to challenge ourselves to provide innovative solutions that support our purpose of protecting employees and the businesses they run. In a world where change is occurring at unprecedented speed, we will be at the forefront of what our clients need to run safe and respectful workplaces. We commit to anticipating our clients' needs, thinking about solutions in new ways and bringing those solutions to market more quickly than ever before.

Consulting: What does being named a Fastest Growing Firm mean to your firm, employees and clients?

Murray: Being one of Consulting's Fastest Growing Firms is a great honor to J. J. Keller. Associates across the company – in our Consulting area and beyond – are proud of this achievement because if we are growing to this degree, it is clear recognition that the knowledge and support they provide is making a difference for our clients. For our current and future clients, choosing J. J. Keller as a Fastest Growing Consulting Firm provides confidence that they're making a solid decision to bring their company to the next level in safety and compliance management with best practices.