News

HR-software maker Unicru on the move

August 6, 2003

BEAVERTON, Ore. -- Unicru, which screened 5.6-million job applicants last year via kiosks and the Internet, will expand this month after nearly tripling its sales in the past three years and turning a $300,000 profit last year.

According to a report inThe Oregonian, Unicru will expand by two-thirds when it moves to a new office in south Beaverton. The move will follow the company's announcement that it acquired two technology companies, Guru Worldwide and Xperius, both of San Francisco.

The companies offer Unicru technology to screen applications for salaried jobs, the report said. Unicru has built its business on software that helps employers hire hourly-wage workers. Its 360 customers include Albertsons, CVS pharmacy, Hollywood Video, and the Kroger grocery chain

Job seekers spend about a half-hour filling out a Unicru application, either on the Internet or at an electronic kiosk in an employer's office. See related story, "Kiosks take HR to 'hire' level."

Each application collects 300 to 500 pieces of information, including hours of availability, previous jobs and education level. About 50 bits of information can be used to predict the applicant's job performance, David Scarborough, one of Unicru's chief scientists, said in the report.

Unicru has grown from 125 to 230 employees and revenue has jumped 9 percent in 2002. It had $9.5 million in cash and no debt on its balance sheet at the end of 2002.