Dahl Consulting

What Dahl Consulting does

Dahl Consulting (DAHL) is a Minnesota-based staffing and workforce management company founded in 1993 and headquartered in Edina, MN. Since 2017, it has operated as a sister company to Doherty Staffing Solutions under the unified 'Doherty | The Employment Experts' brand, with the Doherty family as principal owners. The company is WBENC-certified as a women-owned business and serves both enterprise and mid-market clients across the Upper Midwest with national reach.

DAHL's service portfolio spans the full contingent-workforce lifecycle: contract, contract-to-hire, and direct hire staffing; AI-enabled recruiting (the 'Winnie' AI Recruiter); payrolling and Employer of Record (EOR) services; Statement of Work (SOW) management; independent contractor compliance; and Managed Service Provider (MSP) program delivery. Technology infrastructure centers on APRU (Advanced Platform Resources Unlimited), a proprietary Vendor Management System launched in October 2017, which provides sourcing, time approval, vendor management, and consolidated invoicing for MSP clients and was extended with Light Industrial capabilities beyond typical IT-focused VMS offerings.

Revenue is generated primarily through placement fees, payroll mark-ups on contingent workers, MSP program management fees, and licensing of the APRU VMS platform; pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Distribution is sales-led via direct employer engagement ('Request Talent' inquiries) and a sister-company referral channel with Doherty Staffing Solutions, supplemented by a self-serve candidate job portal. Brand strength is evidenced by five consecutive ClearlyRated Best of Staffing awards, recurring Forbes and Business Insider inclusions, eleven consecutive Minnesota Top Workplace recognitions, and client NPS of 78 versus an industry average of 31%.

Name

Dahl Consulting

Legal name

Dahl Consulting

Website

https://dahlconsulting.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Dahl Consulting is a privately held, WBENC-certified women-owned staffing and workforce management company serving enterprise and mid-market clients with contract, contract-to-hire, direct hire, payrolling/EOR, MSP, and proprietary APRU VMS solutions across the Upper Midwest and nationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Staffing and Workforce Solutions

NAICS

Employment Placement Agencies and Executive Search Services (56131), Employment Placement Agencies (561311), Professional Employer Organizations (561330), Human Resources Consulting Services (541612)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

National Generalist Staffing Firms (BPACACAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Recruiting Administration Outsourcing (Recruitment Support, Scheduling, Onboarding Ops) (BPACAKAG), Agent of Record (AOR) / Contractor Engagement Services (BPACAGAB), General Permanent Placement (Multi-Industry) (BPACAFAA)

Keywords

• Staffing services
• Contingent workforce
• Managed service provider
• Vendor management system
• Employer of record

Headquarters

HQ city

Rockville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Staffing and Talent Placement Services: Dahl Consulting generates revenue by sourcing and staffing contract, contract-to-hire, and direct hire employment options for clients. The company places skilled talent across multiple industries and earns fees based on the type of placement and engagement structure.
2. Payrolling / Employer of Record (EOR) Services: The company provides payrolling solutions for contingent workers, becoming the official employer of record. Revenue is generated through administrative fees and mark-ups on payroll processing for clients' contingent workforce.
3. Managed Service Provider (MSP) Program Management: DAHL manages clients' contingent workforce programs, assumed responsibility for sourcing and HR functions, vendor management, compliance, and workforce analytics. Revenue derived from program management fees and consolidated invoicing services.
4. VMS Technology Services: Proprietary APRU VMS technology platform provided to clients for contingent workforce management, including sourcing, hiring approval, time tracking, and invoice processing through the technology system.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Dahl Consulting is a full-service staffing and total talent management firm that sources and places contract, contract-to-hire and direct hire talent for employers across the Upper Midwest and nationally. The firm bundles recruiting with payrolling/Employer of Record, Independent Contractor compliance, SOW Management, Managed Service Provider (MSP) program administration, and its proprietary APRU Vendor Management System (VMS) technology to manage clients' contingent workforce programs end-to-end.

Product overview

Dahl Consulting operates as a full-service staffing and workforce management company offering a comprehensive suite of workforce solutions. The portfolio includes core service offerings: Talent/Staffing Services for sourcing contract, contract-to-hire, and direct hire placements; AI Recruiting featuring DAHL's AI Recruiter 'Winnie' for automated candidate engagement; Payrolling/EOR solutions for contingent workforce administration; SOW Management for project-based hiring; IC Compliance for independent contractor adherence; and a Managed Service Provider (MSP) program for contingent workforce optimization. Technology products include APRU VMS, a proprietary vendor management system that serves as the technology backbone for MSP programs, enabling complete visibility and control of contingent workforce operations including sourcing, hiring, time approval, and invoice processing. The company also offers a Mobile App for job seekers. All services are delivered through a unified workforce management approach, connecting clients with top talent while ensuring compliance, cost-effectiveness, and operational efficiency.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• APRU: Advanced Platform Resources Unlimited - proprietary vendor management system (VMS) technology that serves as the technology component for MSP programs, providing complete visibility and automation for contingent workforce management.
• Doherty | The Employment Experts
• Winnie

Products and services

• Talent/Staffing Services Sourcing and staffing services providing contract, contract-to-hire, and direct hire employment options for businesses across accounting, finance, administrative, engineering, IT, insurance, and marketing roles.
• AI Recruiting AI-powered recruiting solutions featuring DAHL's AI Recruiter ("Winnie") for automated candidate sourcing, initial applicant communication, and writing job ads.
• Payrolling | Employer of Record (EOR) Workforce payrolling provider delivering full life-cycle administrative management for contingent workforce, Independent Contractors (ICs), and Corp-to-Corp engagements, with Dahl acting as the official Employer of Record.
• SOW Management Statement of Work management solutions to streamline the hiring of contingent workers for project-based engagements.
• IC Compliance Independent Contractor compliance solutions ensuring proper worker classification and regulatory adherence for clients engaging contingent ICs.
• Managed Service Provider (MSP) Contingent workforce management solutions helping clients maximize investment in contingent workforce expenses by assuming responsibility for sourcing, vendor management, compliance, workforce analytics and consolidated invoicing.
• APRU VMS Technology Proprietary Vendor Management System (Advanced Platform Resources Unlimited) that provides complete visibility and control of contingent workforce; automates sourcing, hiring approval, time tracking and invoice processing with capabilities extending to Light Industrial clients beyond typical IT- and professional-focused VMS platforms.

Quantifiable outcome

• NPS of 78 from clients (vs. industry average of 31%)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Doherty Staffing SolutionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2017Doherty Staffing Solutions is a sister company under the Doherty Family Brand. When Doherty acquired Dahl Consulting in 2017, both organizations operate collaboratively as 'Doherty | The Employment Experts.' The companies cross-refer business and share resources, making them the largest Minnesota-based staffing firms combined.
• Doherty Family FoundationcoreOthersThe Doherty Family Foundation is managed by the Doherty family (owners of Doherty Staffing Solutions and Dahl Consulting). The Foundation financially supports organizations helping children and/or adults in need with food, shelter, clothing, and education. DAHL partners with the foundation for charitable donations and community giving programs.
• MedicaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDAHL Managed Services and Medica co-presented on Medica's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion commitment and DAHL's staffing partner alignment, demonstrating strategic partnership in DEI initiatives.
• Toys for Tots (U.S. Marine Corps Reserve)minorOthersDAHL and Doherty have partnered with Toys for Tots for 18 years, collecting toys and making donations to support disadvantaged children during the holiday season. The Doherty Family Foundation provides additional financial contributions.
• Loaves & FishesminorOthersCharitable partner receiving donations through the Doherty Family Foundation to support food security initiatives.
• Make-A-Wish FoundationminorOthersCharitable partner receiving donations through the Doherty Family Foundation to support wish-granting programs for children.
• Gary Sinise FoundationminorOthersCharitable partner receiving donations through the Doherty Family Foundation to support veterans and first responders.
• Animal Humane SocietyminorOthersCharitable partner receiving donations through the Doherty Family Foundation to support animal welfare programs.
• Simpson Housing ServicesminorOthersCharitable partner receiving donations through the Doherty Family Foundation to support housing services for those in need.
• Special OlympicsminorOthersCharitable partner receiving donations through the Doherty Family Foundation to support athletic programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
• American Heart AssociationminorOthersDAHL and Doherty partner with the American Heart Association for Wear Red Day initiatives, with employee participation generating donations and foundation matching for heart health research.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Insight Global: Privately held staffing and services firm placing professionals in IT, accounting, finance, and engineering. Similar multi-service model (staffing + MSP-style programs) and comparable mid-market-to-enterprise client focus.
• Aerotek: Allegis Group subsidiary with strong Light Industrial and specialty staffing focus. Closely comparable to DAHL's Light Industrial VMS specialization and contingent-workforce management capabilities.
• TEKsystems: Allegis Group subsidiary focused on IT staffing and services. Comparable in IT/technical professional placement, MSP offerings, and serving enterprise clients across the US.
• Kforce Inc. Public staffing firm specializing in Technology and Finance & Accounting professional placements. Similar professional-services focus with technology staffing overlap, comparable to DAHL's contract and direct-hire professional placements.
• Doherty Staffing Solutions: Sister company under the Doherty Family Brand; offers staffing services across the Upper Midwest, particularly Light Industrial and clerical. Acquired DAHL in 2017 and the two cross-refer business, making them the largest Minnesota-based staffing firms combined.

Broad incumbents

• Adecco Group: World's largest staffing firm with generalist and specialty brands (Akkodis, LHH). Overlaps with DAHL across contract staffing, direct hire, MSP, and career transition services, with significantly greater geographic reach.
• Kelly Services: Global publicly traded staffing and workforce solutions provider with strong generalist and specialty practices (science, engineering, education, technology). Competes with DAHL in talent placement, MSP, and payrolling/EOR services.
• ManpowerGroup: Global publicly traded staffing leader (Manpower, Experis, Talent Solutions). Directly comparable on staffing, MSP/RPO, and workforce consulting; however, vastly larger scale and global footprint.
• Robert Half International: Large publicly traded staffing firm specializing in professional placements (finance, accounting, technology, administrative). Operates Protiviti consulting and has a national/international footprint that dwarfs DAHL's regional presence.
• Randstad: Global publicly traded HR services leader offering staffing, RPO/MSP, outplacement, and digital talent solutions. Direct overlap with DAHL on staffing and MSP programs but with much larger scale and technology investment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dahl_consulting
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@dahlconsulting4330
• Facebookfacebook.com/dahl-consulting-90694809359
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/29686
• Instagraminstagram.com/dahlcareers
• TikToktiktok.com/@dahlcareers
• Pinterestpinterest.com/dahlconsulting

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dahl Consulting