Kids & Family

Three Reasons to Pay Attention to Andover's ALKU

Can hard work be a lot of fun? This company thinks so.

Andover consulting firm AKLU -- formerly known as The Start Group -- has made strides since its launch five years ago.

ALKU provides these consultants on contract basis to help with quality and compliance within the medical device, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and related industries.

That may sound like a hundred other consulting start-ups we've seen pop up in recent years, but here are three big reasons to watch this local company:

They Know How to Rise


While many of its senior management have decades of experience in staffing and consulting and the company prides itself on providing, AKLU has re-imaged itself as youthful, as seen in their hilarious YouTube recruiting video.

And with youth often comes energy. In the aftermath of an economic collapse and struggling economic recovery, ALKU has been named to the INC 500 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America for the past two years.

And it's been named a Best Place to Work by Boston Business Journal three times.

They Know How to Ride


Any local business owner can tell you the importance of community involvement.

In the past two years, ALKU has raised about $50,000 for the Massachusetts Mentoring Partnership (a non-profit organization that encompasses many youth mentoring programs across the state) in the Rodman Ride for Kids.

The Rodman Ride for Kids is a 25-, 50- or 100-mile annual bike ride based in Foxboro. And ALKU is now the events highest fundraising team.

"Our employees strongly support the worthy cause of mentoring and enjoy all aspects of being involved in this cause,"company spokesperson Katherine Cressinger said. "Whether we asked them to host or attend fundraising events, call friends and family for donations or even ride 25 miles in support of our team, they do it all willingly."

They're Hiring

Another sign of the company's energy and optimism -- and perhaps a universal one -- is that it's looking to expand its workforce.

Find out what's happening in Andoverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Consistent with our culture, ALKU is looking for those who are motivated, have a good sense of humor and who are community minded to come join this fun group of people who enjoy accomplishing great things," Cressinger said, noting the company's "working hard can be fun" attitude.

"ALKU’s ability to instill the principle of having fun while achieving great things beyond our office and into our community is something that business people would enjoy reading about," she said.

Find out what's happening in Andoverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Check out their job openings here.

Know an Andover business that stands out and should be spotlighted? Email Bryan.McGonigle@patch.com.


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