COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 7363

Temporary Help Services

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

22companies1946–1992founding years22still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironment
FoundedKelly Services, Inc.FoundedKelly Services, Inc.
1946
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented at Bell Labs.
FoundedC. H. Heist CorporationFoundedC. H. Heist Corporation
1949
1956
EconomyThe Interstate Highway program remakes commerce.
FoundedVolt Information Sciences Inc.
1957
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
FoundedRandstad Holding n.v.FoundedRandstad Holding n.v.
1960
FoundedNorrell CorporationFoundedNorrell Corporation
1961
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedRemedyTemp, Inc.
1965
1970
EnvironmentThe EPA is founded; environmental regulation expands.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; Nasdaq opens.
FoundedSOS Staffing ServicesFoundedSOS Staffing Services
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
FoundedPHP Healthcare CorporationFoundedPHP Healthcare Corporation
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins with the Altair.
FoundedAHL Services, Inc.FoundedCompHealth Inc.FoundedCompHealth Inc.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall 22% in a single day.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
FoundedOn Assignment, Inc.
1992
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2001
EconomyThe September 11 attacks; a recession follows.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 begin to take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Kelly Services, Inc. →
Active · founded 1946
Kelly Services, Inc.
Kelly Services, Inc. →
Active · founded 1946
Kelly Services, Inc.
C. H. Heist Corporation →
Active · founded 1949
C.
C. H. Heist Corporation →
Active · founded 1949
C.
Volt Information Sciences Inc. →
Active · founded 1957
Volt Information Sciences Inc.
Volt Information Sciences Inc. →
Active · founded 1957
Volt Information Sciences Inc.
Randstad Holding n.v. →
Active · founded 1960 · The Netherlands
Randstad Holding n.v.
Randstad Holding n.v. →
Active · founded 1960 · The Netherlands
Randstad Holding n.v.
Norrell Corporation →
Active · founded 1961
Though it is best known as a temporary agency, Norrell Corporation offers a wide variety of services.
Norrell Corporation →
Active · founded 1961
Though it is best known as a temporary agency, Norrell Corporation offers a wide variety of services.
RemedyTemp, Inc. →
Active · founded 1965
RemedyTemp, Inc.
RemedyTemp, Inc. →
Active · founded 1965
RemedyTemp, Inc.
SOS Staffing Services →
Active · founded 1973
SOS Staffing Services is one of the nation's largest firms providing temporary employees for clerical, light…
SOS Staffing Services →
Active · founded 1973
SOS Staffing Services is one of the nation's largest firms providing temporary employees for clerical, light…
PHP Healthcare Corporation →
Active · founded 1975
PHP Healthcare Corporation and its subsidiaries develop, consolidate, and manage the delivery of healthcare and related…
PHP Healthcare Corporation →
Active · founded 1975
PHP Healthcare Corporation and its subsidiaries develop, consolidate, and manage the delivery of healthcare and related…
AHL Services, Inc. →
Active · founded 1979
AHL Services, Inc.
AHL Services, Inc. →
Active · founded 1979
AHL Services, Inc.
CompHealth Inc. →
Active · founded 1979
CompHealth was the nation's first and is the nation's largest firm providing temporary staffing of medical doctors and…
CompHealth Inc. →
Active · founded 1979
CompHealth was the nation's first and is the nation's largest firm providing temporary staffing of medical doctors and…
On Assignment, Inc. →
Active · founded 1992
On Assignment, Inc.
On Assignment, Inc. →
Active · founded 1992
On Assignment, Inc.
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