Case Studies

Building a Scalable HR Shared Services Center for a Global Merger

2 minute read

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: As two global manufacturing companies prepared for a merger and IPO, inconsistent HR processes and siloed operations created risks for employee experience and organizational performance. Catena Solutions partnered with the newly combined company to build a centralized HR Shared Services Center of Excellence that streamlined operations, reduced duplication, and delivered high-quality support to more than 11,000 employees.

The Challenge: Siloed HR Operations Impacted Employee Experience

During the merger and IPO preparation, the organization uncovered significant gaps in HR service delivery. Plants and office locations were independently managing HR tasks, which led to inconsistent processes, limited employee resources, and a fragmented experience for a global workforce. The lack of standardization also created inefficiencies, increased costs, and made it difficult to maintain strong internal controls.

The Solution: A Centralized HR Shared Services Center of Excellence

Catena Solutions deployed a team of consultants to design, build, and launch a comprehensive HR Shared Services Center that delivered high-touch, efficient support across the organization. The Center of Excellence became the centralized hub for key HR functions, including:

• Total rewards
• Benefits and leave
• Payroll
• Onboarding
• Employee relations
• Recruiting and talent management
• Training and learning services
• Reporting and analytics
• HRIS administration

This model enabled consistent processes, clear service ownership, and a unified platform for addressing employee needs.

The Benefit: A More Connected & Efficient HR Organization

The new HR Center of Excellence:

• Broke down organizational silos
• Reduced service duplication
• Standardized and streamlined processes
• Integrated key HR functions across the enterprise
• Improved efficiency through centralization and automation
• Minimized administrative burdens on HR teams
• Reduced costs and increased economies of scale
• Enabled continuous improvement efforts
• Helped the company maintain strong internal controls
• Provided timely, accurate, and relevant information to stakeholders
• Delivered expert business partnerships across the organization

Catena Solutions helps organizations design and build scalable HR operating models that transform employee experience and strengthen enterprise performance. Connect with us to learn how we can support your next HR transformation initiative.