October 2023

Our client faced a significant backlog due to a shortage of local talent, and that’s where FlexTrades came to the rescue. Within just three weeks, we deployed a team of skilled Assemblers, Welders, Fabricators, and Maintenance Technicians. The client’s management was not only satisfied but thrilled with our ability to swiftly provide them with the workforce they needed.

Our dedicated technicians went above and beyond, working diligently every weekend for months. Their tireless efforts paid off, as the backlog that had been causing concerns was completely cleared within just two months. This success story is a testament to our commitment to delivering exceptional solutions for our clients.

It’s no surprise that this client has now become one of our most substantial partners, consistently utilizing our talented workforce across multiple worksites nationwide.

For more inspiring success stories, don’t hesitate to explore our collection here.

Make Traveling More Like Home This Thanksgiving Holiday

Thanksgiving is a time for gathering together with the people near and dear to your heart. But if you’re traveling you may feel their absence even more so than usual. November 23^rd is right around the corner and, for those of you who are on the road and away from family, know there are still so many ways you can celebrate and feel the warmth of the holiday.

6 Alternative Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving

For those like me who don’t cook that much – mostly because I don’t want to inflict my cooking on others – there are a number of restaurants open on Thanksgiving that have special Thanksgiving feast options available for one or more people.
In this age of ‘Dave, you’re on mute’ we are all familiar with facetiming or hopping on Zoom or Teams. If you have people in your life celebrating, but you won’t be able to make it, try attending virtually! You get all the warmth and connection of your loved ones without having to worry about your yearly cheek pinching from Great Aunt Gladys!
If you really want to go somewhere and be with people, but aren’t picky about who they are, please consider sites like Meetup and Eventbrite. I found numerous gatherings already scheduled for Thanksgiving 2023 that allow strangers to come together for everything from a home cooked meal to community craft fairs, to live music!
If you have the day off, it may be one of your few chances to have a chance to decompress and focus on yourself. With that in mind, you can bundle up with one or four blankets and watch Steve Martin struggle to make his way home for the holiday with John Candy in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.
At the heart of the holiday is gratitude and giving thanks. What better way to do that than by taking the time to give back to those less fortunate? Volunteering opportunities are available everywhere and such organizations are always in need of help. Consider joining in with the community to help others celebrate during a time in their life where celebrations are rare.
I am of the opinion that running is not a hobby to partake in for fun. I have said on more than one occasion that if you see me running you should also be doing so because something is chasing me with the intent to do bodily harm. Nevertheless, for those who enjoy the dreaded activity, there’s always the Turkey Trot!

If you found this advice helpful, you’ll find more great tips on how to make a holiday away from home easier by reading Not Home for the Holidays too. And if you’d like to learn about more reasons to celebrate read our blog on Winter Holidays and Celebrations Around the World.

The surge in demand and the implementation of a new system prompted the need for FlexTrades’ skilled workforce.

One of our clients in the plastic manufacturing sector, serving the food and packaging industry, was grappling with delayed shipments. This was primarily due to the introduction of a new warehouse management system at all their facilities nationwide. Their in-house staff couldn’t keep up with the increased workload, causing difficulties in meeting delivery deadlines. In response, we swiftly dispatched over 60 FlexTrades forklift and material handlers to several of their facilities across the country. Our adept technicians seamlessly integrated into the workflow, surpassing our client’s expectations by achieving warehouse goals more efficiently than anticipated. Notably, our technicians demonstrated flexibility by relocating to different facilities as the need arose, even if it required traveling to another state.

The positive outcome led to ongoing collaboration, with our client consistently redeploying our technicians. To date, we’ve deployed over 200 technicians to 15 of their sites nationwide, effectively addressing production gaps.

If your facility could benefit from experienced technicians, click here to learn more about FlexTrades Technicians.

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”

No, we’re not talking about Christmas, although you might think so if you’ve ventured into Costco lately. It’s spooky season! Halloween kicks off on the 1st of October and lasts the entire month. With that in mind, let’s delve into the crème de la crème of Halloween movies for those of you who don’t start obsessing about them until July.

Disclaimer: I have zero tolerance for horror movies, so you’ll find that this list leans towards the PG side. I won’t be sacrificing my peaceful nights for the sake of journalism. Sorry, not sorry.

To kick things off, we have a somewhat controversial choice, “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Some might argue that it’s a Christmas movie because the story builds up to Christmas Eve. However, I contend that since the majority of the film unfolds in Halloween Town and stars the Pumpkin King, it rightfully earns a place on this Halloween movie list. With its unforgettable musical numbers and exquisite stop-motion animation, this film is a must-see.

Speaking of Halloween Town, it’s not just a location; it’s also the setting of a beloved original Disney Channel film! “Halloweentown” is perfect for fans of the TV show “Grimm.” It’s one of the most light-hearted Halloween-themed movies I’ve ever seen, and it even boasts two sequels!

Next up is the one and only “horror” movie I can handle without experiencing weeks of sleepless, terrifying nights. “A Quiet Place” presents a unique take on what would happen if aliens invaded Earth. Stephen Hawking once likened it to Christopher Columbus arriving in the Americas, and the director of this film clearly agreed. Except in this case, Earth’s inhabitants face an alien race that ruthlessly hunts down anything or anyone that makes a sound.

Last but certainly not least, we have an iconic film celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year, “Hocus Pocus.” I had the pleasure of attending a screening on October 6th, and it was everything I remembered and more. Boasting a star-studded cast, an unbeatable script, and a timeless tale that encapsulates the spirit of the season, “Hocus Pocus” is, in my humble and entirely correct opinion, a Halloween classic! For those who adore this lovable film, there’s good news… “Hocus Pocus 2” is now available on Disney+!

If you enjoyed this blog, feel free to explore my post featuring an assortment of fantastic reads. There’s something on there for everyone!

One of our clients in the Plastic Packaging industry faced a substantial surge in demand, causing a significant backlog in their production. To address this challenge swiftly, we mobilized a skilled workforce consisting of technicians, a forklift operator, hot press operator, machine operator, maintenance technician, manufacturing technician, and packer.

These adept technicians played a pivotal role in rapidly enhancing our client’s production capacity. As a result of our successful intervention, we extended our support to multiple client locations across the United States, further reinforcing our commitment to boosting productivity and meeting their evolving needs.

Check out more success stories here!

FlexTrades collaborated with a manufacturer specializing in medical disposables used extensively in hospitals, encompassing a range of products such as IV kits, tubing, connectors, valves, and pumps. Our client faced a unique set of challenges, including a surge in demand driven by the pandemic, the retirement of highly skilled employees, and a localized talent scarcity resulting from economic uncertainty.

Operating within the confines of stringent FDA regulations, our client adhered to a comprehensive set of high-level injection molding practices, which included various aspects of RJG (RJG scientific molding, systematic molding, master molding, eDART). In a true partnership, FlexTrades stepped in, providing invaluable support with a team comprising 2 Mold Process Engineers, 1 Extrusion Engineer, 2 Mold Makers, and 1 Mold Process and Setup Technician. Remarkably, considering the scarcity of these specialized skills in the market, our client agreed to forgo the prerequisite for technicians and engineers to possess prior experience with RJG concepts.

As a consequence of this collaboration (in a particularly challenging market environment), FlexTrades efficiently addressed our client’s staffing requirements, deploying highly skilled technicians within a remarkable timeframe of 27 days. Subsequent feedback from our client regarding the technicians was overwhelmingly positive, with comments such as, “It was a pleasure having them here. They were exceptional collaborators who possessed deep knowledge of injection molding. Their presence will be sincerely missed.”

Click here to learn more about our skilled workforce.

Each year, we eagerly anticipate the arrival of Manufacturing Day (MFG Day), which takes place on the first Friday of October. Often, this celebration extends throughout the entire month, highlighting the significance of the manufacturing industry.

What is Manufacturing Day?

The inception of Manufacturing Day dates back to 2012 when the Fabricators and Manufacturers’ Association (FMA) joined hands with leaders from the National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP). The brainchild behind this initiative was Ed Youdell, the President & CEO of FMA. Beginning as a modest concept, they conducted a pilot effort in the Midwest on the first Friday of October in 2012. As the years went by, the success of this day prompted them to collaborate with the National Association of Manufacturing (NAM) in 2016, who took the helm of the initiative. Thanks to NAM’s extensive network through The Manufacturing Institute, the event flourished. In just seven years, it expanded from around 240 events primarily in the Midwest to encompass more than 325,000 students, teachers, and parents participating in over 3,000 events across all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

How Can You Celebrate Manufacturing Day?

For Manufacturers:

Conduct Manufacturing Tours: Organize manufacturing tours within your facility. These tours can be in-person or virtual, making them accessible to individuals of all ages.
Educational Fair or Expo: Collaborate with other manufacturers in your area to host an educational fair or expo. Create informative displays, offer hands-on activities or demonstrations, and promote the event with giveaways.
Engage with Local Schools: Reach out to local schools, whether they are elementary, middle, high school, or technical colleges. Deliver presentations on the advantages of a career in manufacturing, highlighting earning opportunities, advancement prospects, and more. Foster enthusiasm among students.
Employee Appreciation: Celebrate your dedicated workforce. Show your gratitude by providing donuts, a pizza lunch, or a cookout for your employees. Express your thanks through cards, gift cards, or small tokens that convey your appreciation.
Social Media Acknowledgment: Share your appreciation on social media. Celebrate the manufacturing industry and your workforce with a heartfelt message of gratitude for their daily contributions that drive American manufacturing forward.

For Individuals:

Attend Manufacturing Tours: Attend manufacturing tours in your local area, whether in-person or virtual. These tours provide a valuable glimpse into the world of manufacturing.
Job Exploration: Approach your employer and inquire about participating in Manufacturing Day activities. Explore different areas of your workplace and spend the day learning about roles you may not have encountered before.
Educational Videos: Watch informative “How It Works” videos related to manufacturing processes. Share your favorite videos with friends and colleagues to spread awareness.
Engage the Next Generation: If you have children in your life, engage in meaningful conversations about manufacturing while enjoying ice cream. Show them videos and emphasize that it offers a viable career path with substantial earning potential and room for growth.
Educational Games: Introduce youngsters to educational games like the Manufacturing Institute’s Smart MFG 2 App, where kids can design and manufacture a drone. Additionally, consider playing board games like “The Manufacturing Game.” You can also explore a variety of factory simulation games.

There are numerous ways to celebrate Manufacturing Day, and the ones mentioned here are just a few examples. As you celebrate the manufacturing industry, its dedicated professionals, and those working tirelessly to drive it forward, remember that you can promote and celebrate it not only on one designated day but throughout the entire year!

Month: October 2023

Make Traveling More Like Home This Thanksgiving Holiday

6 Alternative Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving

The surge in demand and the implementation of a new system prompted the need for FlexTrades’ skilled workforce.

What is Manufacturing Day?

How Can You Celebrate Manufacturing Day?

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