DALLAS and CARMEL, Ind. – When leaders of FLS Services and Eldredge Corporations announced the companies were merging to form Allied Solutions early this year, they billed the deal as a way to gain economies of scale to compete with insurance powerhouse CUNA Mutual. So far, according to Allied Solutions Marketing/Specialty Products President Dick Hetzel, the new firm is doing just fine on the competitive front. "It has gone really well," said Hetzel. "The transition has been excellent for everyone involved." With a new focus on technology specifically in the area of Internet-based training and using the Internet to administer and manage products, Allied Solutions has had success with Web-based training programs for various services. According to Hetzel, employees can learn on their own time and receive full training on topics such as GAP or blue note financing. The company has grown and now has 400 employees – up from 350 – and serves over 1,400 clients – up from 1,250. While acknowledging that the size and number of years CUNA Mutual Group has been serving CUs gives it a large piece of the insurance pie, Hetzel believes that it is hard for one company to be all things to credit unions. Allied is committed to partnering to bring more to the marketplace. It has already partnered with such firms as Minnesota Life, HomePlus Insurance Agency and Balboa. "Our competitive edge is that we try to provide services through multiple service companies in specialized areas," said Hetzel. "We aren't locked into just one underwriter so we can offer credit unions alternatives." Offering over 21 core products, including collateral protection insurance; accidental death and dismemberment; GAP protection; indirect lending solutions; mechanical breakdown protection; mortgage insurance; long-term care; portal service; online brokerage; individual health and life insurance; credit insurance; bond and property package insurance and others; the merger has provided greater coverage of the U.S. To date Allied Solutions has 413 new sales. [email protected]