Adapting to Supply Chain Workforce Shortages

construction staffing agency
construction staffing agency

A supply chain is only as strong as the workforce behind it. Freight doesn’t move itself. Warehouses don’t run on automation alone. Trucks don’t roll out without drivers. Every stage of logistics depends on having enough workers in place, and when that workforce isn’t there, everything backs up.

Supply chain disruptions have hit hard in recent years. Shortages in freight handling, warehouse labor, and last-mile delivery have created bottlenecks that slow down entire industries. Shipping delays, labor strikes, and unexpected spikes in demand only make things worse. The companies that survive these challenges are the ones that have a staffing plan—one that doesn’t rely solely on full-time hires but instead uses temp staffing to fill workforce gaps when and where they happen.

The Impact of Supply Chain Disruptions on Labor Needs

Every breakdown in the supply chain creates another labor crisis. When ports get congested, warehouse teams get overwhelmed. When inventory piles up, trucking and distribution networks can’t keep up. One problem leads to another, and if there aren’t enough workers in place, the entire system grinds to a halt.

  • Port congestion increases demand for freight handling personnel – When containers sit at ports, more workers are needed to unload, process, and transport shipments before they create bottlenecks.
  • Warehouses and distribution centers struggle with labor shortages – When shipments arrive in bulk instead of on a steady schedule, teams need extra hands to sort, label, and move products efficiently.
  • Last-mile delivery networks need more drivers and logistics support – Consumer expectations for fast shipping don’t change just because staffing levels are low. The pressure to meet delivery timelines keeps rising.
  • Cold chain logistics require specialized workers – Perishable goods like food and pharmaceuticals need uninterrupted movement, and staffing gaps in refrigerated transport or cold storage can result in costly waste.

A supply chain that isn’t fully staffed can’t function at peak efficiency. Companies that don’t plan for workforce shortages fall behind fast.

How Temp Staffing Provides Immediate Solutions

Supply chain disruptions don’t come with a warning. One day, everything is running on schedule. The next, a shortage at a distribution hub throws off deliveries for weeks. When labor shortages hit, temp staffing allows logistics companies to react fast and keep operations running without delays.

1. Filling Gaps in Freight Handling and Distribution

  • Dockworkers, warehouse teams, and forklift operators are critical for keeping inventory moving.
  • Temp workers ensure that supply chains don’t stall when demand spikes or permanent employees are unavailable.

2. Supporting Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Providers

  • Third-party logistics firms rely on flexible labor to handle fluctuating client demands.
  • Temp staffing allows them to scale their workforce up or down without long-term payroll commitments.

3. Providing Skilled Workers for International Shipping Logistics

  • Import/export operations require professionals who understand customs procedures, tracking systems, and international freight coordination.
  • Temp staffing ensures that trained personnel are available when shipping volumes surge.

4. Maintaining Cold Chain Logistics Without Risk

  • Temp workers trained in temperature-sensitive freight handling prevent spoilage and regulatory violations.
  • Having a workforce ready to step in keeps perishable goods moving and minimizes financial losses.

A flexible workforce strategy makes sure that supply chain slowdowns don’t turn into full-scale breakdowns.

Why Logistics Companies Rely on Temp Staffing

A workforce shortage isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a direct hit to profitability. When supply chain issues pile up, businesses that don’t have enough workers in place struggle to recover. Temp staffing keeps operations moving by providing:

  • Instant access to pre-vetted workers – No waiting for long hiring cycles. Workers are ready to start immediately.
  • Scalable workforce solutions – Companies expand and contract their labor force as needed without overcommitting to full-time hires.
  • Reduced labor costs without sacrificing productivity – Payroll stays lean while staffing levels remain optimized.

The right staffing plan turns a labor shortage from a crisis into a solvable problem. Companies that plan ahead don’t fall behind.

MGR Workforce Delivers Skilled Labor for Supply Chain Operations

A supply chain that runs at full capacity needs the right workforce behind it. MGR Workforce provides logistics companies with skilled temp workers who are ready to step in and keep operations moving.

  • Freight handling personnel and warehouse staff, ready on demand
  • Pre-screened workers for last-mile delivery and cold chain logistics
  • Scalable staffing solutions for third-party logistics and distribution centers

A workforce that adjusts to supply chain challenges stays ahead of disruptions. MGR Workforce ensures that staffing shortages never slow down business.

Request Workers Today for Your Logistics Team

Need extra workers to handle a supply chain surge? MGR Workforce connects logistics companies with experienced temp labor for freight, warehousing, and delivery operations. Request workers today and keep your supply chain moving.

 

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MGR Workforce puts thousands of temp labour associates to work. We’ve been in business since 1999 and understand that finding the right talent for your project is critical to the success of your project.

We’ve made it our mission to secure and provide the highest quality, skilled professionals in North America. We have over two decades of expertise sourcing and training our workers.

Our temporary labour services cover nearly every industry from Construction and Warehousing, through to professional business solutions such as Administrative Services, Finance and IT. You can view a full list of the industries we service here.

In 2019, our clients rated MGR Workforce with a quality score of 4.5 out of 5 through an independent third-party survey. You can count on us to provide the level of service you demand. 

Our workers are curated and vetted from a wide pool of applications. All worker applicants are carefully screened prior to going through our in-depth onboarding training program, as well as a virtual meeting with our team to verify their information and ensure they are the right fit for our our clients. 

One of the key differentiators in our implementation methodology is how we quantify, on an on-going basis, the quality of our workers. This ensures we deliver high quality service and proactively identify areas for on-going improvement and training.

Each worker is ‘scored’ for quality based on a formula that includes client quality scores, absenteeism, on-time rates, skills-set, accreditations, and other critical factors.

We are the leading supplier of temporary workers and construction labour in North America, with Canadian office locations in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan, and US offices located in Arizona, Chicago, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Washington.

Our dispatch offices assign workers to projects all across North America and select high quality workers located near your job site.

Our clients partner with us because of our differentiating values: we perform better and produce top-quality talent. Work with us and benefit from the same extraordinary level of service and unmatched value. Contact us today and let us prove our value to you.

Yes! We are Canada’s leading supplier of temp labour and have expanded into the United States as of February, 2019.

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We’re known for providing the highest quality labor. We relentlessly screen for deep experience and a desire to
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MGR Workforce has been a leader in workforce staffing for over 20 years. We use our two decades of experience to recruit and match workers to your needs.

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