Search Mandate
Since its founding in 2014, DECKED has become a go-to brand for after-market, organization-promoting vehicle accessories, counted on by everyone from first responders and tradespeople to outdoor enthusiasts. The company’s unwavering commitment to quality and integrity shows in each of its products, which the company designs, engineers, and manufactures in Ketchum, Idaho, Defiance, Ohio, and St. George, Utah.
DECKED’s mission is to organize the shit out of America, by providing affordable, practical options for anyone who needs extra truck storage for work or play. As a result, it has become one of the fastest-growing consumer products companies in the world.
In 2023, the growth strategy called for key executive hires to accelerate business in the outdoor retail segment and build on the brand’s reputation for remarkable customer satisfaction. DECKED set out to identify a long-term recruiting firm partner with deep outdoor industry experience. After evaluating options and checking several client references, they chose Noto Group — for its stellar track record and ability to tap into a diverse range of talent across multiple consumer product segments.
Our Approach
Noto Group approached the partnership as a steward of the brand, digging in to understand the nuanced needs for each role, and how new leaders’ strengths would need to coalesce to meet bold growth objectives.
Delamon Rego, an SVP at DECKED and one of the hiring managers who worked with Noto Group, says, “The speed and ease of the sourcing, and the quality of the candidates they presented was best-in-class.”
The layered understanding of DECKED’s business that Noto built equipped them to accurately and compellingly represent the opportunity to prospects — allowing them to cultivate an extremely high-quality candidate pool for all jobs filled. Noto also refined sourcing strategy and tactics for each role throughout the hiring process, based on iterative criteria-based feedback, learnings, and insights.
“Noto Group stands out for bringing us candidates that are not just qualified, but also align with our values — and for having a genuine enthusiasm for the business we are building.”
— Bill Banta, CEO, DECKED
Results
Between June 2023 and April 2024, Noto Group recruited five new leaders for DECKED. The searches were each completed in an average of ten to twelve weeks. According to DECKED CEO Bill Banta, each hire has been an exceptional cultural fit, brought new skills to the company, and upleveled the performance of their teams.
“If culture is a defining part of your selection process,” Banta says, “go with Noto.”
Just a few hallmarks of the successful long-term recruiting partnership are accelerated revenue growth, the implementation of a new HRIS and payroll system, the provision of better employee benefits at lower cost, and having the DECKED factory ranked as a best place to work in Ohio.
Head of People and Culture Breann Burke has experienced Noto Group’s differentiated approach as both a candidate and client, having been involved in two Noto-supported executive searches since she took her role. She’s impressed at how quickly they collate candidates and present a variety of skillsets.
Through collaboration with Noto Group, DECKED is poised for continued growth now that its optimal executive team is in place.
“It always felt like Noto was balancing my interests with those of DECKED to ensure a true win-win match between candidate and company.”
— Wanda Rozwadowska, VP of Sales, DECKED
