The freight and distribution industries are in the middle of a huge shift. The world of logistics is evolving at a breakneck pace, but there’s one constant: labor shortages. The trucking industry and supply chain management can’t keep up with demand, and it’s making the entire system feel like it’s teetering. Orders are backing up, warehouses are overflowing, and trucks are sitting empty because there just aren’t enough hands to get the job done.
Here’s the thing—if you’re running a freight operation, you can’t afford to sit around waiting for workers to show up. You need a workforce that can scale fast, especially when the demand is unpredictable. Temp staffing has become crucial to keeping the wheels turning. It gives trucking companies and distribution centers a way to bring in trained, reliable workers when things heat up—whether that’s seasonal demand or sudden surges in shipping volume.
Let’s dive into why the freight industry is struggling with labor shortages and how temp workers are the solution.
Why Trucking and Freight Industries Struggle with Labor Shortages
The freight and trucking industries are facing a massive challenge: the workforce isn’t keeping up with demand. The combination of an aging workforce, high turnover, and an increasing need for skilled labor is creating a situation where companies are struggling to find the right people to move goods efficiently.
- Aging workforce – Many truck drivers and logistics workers are aging out of the workforce and there aren’t enough new workers coming in to replace them.
- High turnover – The trucking industry especially deals with high turnover rates. Long hours, tough working conditions, and low retention rates make it hard to keep a steady workforce.
- Skills gap – The rapid evolution of logistics and freight systems means that the skills needed in the industry are changing. Automation, international shipping protocols, and new tech mean that companies need skilled labor that’s harder to find.
The real question is, how do you solve this problem fast? Temp agencies are the solution. With the right staffing partner, you can bring in trained workers who already know how to handle the complexities of freight, shipping, and logistics.
How Temp Agencies Provide Trained Workers for Supply Chain Efficiency
The benefit of using temporary workers in freight and distribution is that you don’t have to train them from scratch. Temp agencies provide workers who are already skilled, familiar with the systems, and ready to jump in and get to work. This means you can scale up quickly without the long delays that come with traditional hiring.
1. Filling Specialized Roles Fast
- Freight operations rely on specific roles—drivers, warehouse workers, forklift operators, and more. Temp staffing allows you to find skilled workers quickly, without having to wait weeks for the right candidate to appear.
- Whether you need someone to manage inventory, operate machinery, or drive a truck, you can bring in trained professionals who know exactly what needs to be done.
2. Meeting Immediate Shipping Demands
- The supply chain doesn’t stop. Demand is always shifting, and you need to be ready to move goods around the clock. Temp staffing allows you to respond to urgent needs, making sure you have workers when orders spike, or when shipments need to go out the door.
- In e-commerce, peak seasons are unpredictable, but temporary workers give you the flexibility to add more people when shipments increase and scale back when things calm down.
3. Efficient, Cost-Effective Solutions
- Trucking and freight companies can’t afford to overstaff or under-staff during peak periods. Temp staffing lets you adjust labor to exactly what’s needed, without overcommitting to long-term hires.
- You bring in the right number of workers, without paying for people who aren’t actively contributing to your operations.
Temp staffing isn’t just about filling gaps. It’s about getting trained workers in place quickly, efficiently, and at the right time.
Have a Staffing Need or project in mind? Don’t hesitate, Contact us today!
Key Hiring Strategies for Peak Shipping Seasons
The reality of shipping and freight is that things can change on a dime. One week, everything’s smooth sailing. The next, you’re flooded with orders that need to get out the door yesterday. Having a flexible workforce isn’t just about convenience—it’s about meeting demand when it happens. The best way to handle that? Plan ahead with temp staffing.
1. Forecast Demand and Hire Early
- Peak seasons like Black Friday, the holidays, or special sales require businesses to anticipate demand. You can’t wait until the last minute to start hiring.
- Hiring temp workers early ensures that you have a skilled team ready and waiting for when things heat up. You can bring in workers for specific roles like drivers, warehouse staff, and logistics managers long before the peak season hits.
2. Build Strong Relationships with Staffing Agencies
- Working with a trusted staffing agency gives you access to a reliable pool of workers you can tap into at any time. You don’t have to scramble for workers when the peak hits because your staffing partner already has workers trained and ready.
- Strong staffing agencies also help with compliance, training, and keeping up with safety standards, so you can trust the workers they send your way.
3. Be Ready to Scale
- As the demand increases, the need for workers increases. Don’t wait to hire. Be ready to bring in workers at a moment’s notice.
- Whether you need drivers, warehouse workers, or even specialized logistics staff, having a scalable staffing plan is crucial for meeting shipping demands without slowing down.
Peak shipping seasons don’t have to be a headache. With the right temp staffing strategy, you can meet every demand, deliver on time, and keep everything running smoothly, no matter how chaotic things get.
MGR Workforce Helps Freight and Distribution Stay Efficient
MGR Workforce is here to help you solve your staffing challenges in freight and distribution. We connect you with skilled, reliable workers who can jump in and get to work immediately.
- Trained temp workers for freight handling, logistics management, and warehousing
- Flexible staffing solutions to meet seasonal and peak shipping demand
- Skilled labor ready to fill key roles during unpredictable shipping spikes
With MGR Workforce, you get the right staffing solutions to keep your freight and distribution operation moving smoothly, no matter the season.
Request Workers Today and Keep Your Freight and Distribution Moving
Need temp workers for your freight and distribution operations? MGR Workforce provides reliable labor that’s ready to jump into action. Request workers today and ensure your shipping and logistics stay on track, on time, and on target.
