June 2026

Celebrating 250 Years of America and American Manufacturing

This year, the United States is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. For two and a half centuries, one constant has been at the heart of innovation, economic growth, and progress: manufacturing.

As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, let’s also remember to celebrate the manufacturing industry and the people who power it. Everything coming out of manufacturing has shaped the world we live in, and behind it all are generations of skilled workers, engineers, inventors, and leaders driving it forward.

The Foundation of American Progress

When the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, manufacturing was local and handcrafted. It consisted of individuals working in small shops producing tools, textiles, agricultural equipment, and household goods that were needed to create and sustain growing communities. Ever since then, manufacturing has continually embraced change. As the nation expanded, manufacturing was a driving force. We’ve seen:

Mechanization replace manual production.
Electricity power shops, equipment, and efficiency.
The introduction of mass production thanks to assembly lines.
Computers create precision, automation, and repeatability.
Digital technologies and robotics transform operations for speed and safety.
Artificial intelligence, data analytics, and connected technologies continue to shape the future.

And while the tools have changed over the years, the drive for and toward innovation and resilience has not. Those have always been central to American manufacturing.

The People Behind the Product

While we can clearly see the way technology has transformed manufacturing, we don’t always see the people behind it. Generations of machinists, welders, technicians, electricians, assemblers, engineers, maintenance technicians, fabricators, operators, and many more have been the heart of America’s manufacturing legacy. They’ve built it up with their own hands while staying focused on the highest level of craftsmanship, collaboration, and commitment to continuous improvement. They are the problem solvers, the creative minds, and the doers behind everything, not only production numbers and goals but also the lasting impact that manufacturing has in the United States.

Manufacturing’s Lasting Impact

American manufacturing isn’t just about making “things.” Its impact extends far beyond the factory floor. When you dig in deeper, you’ll see that it really plays a vital role in developing, maintaining, and strengthening people, communities, and the country as a whole. Manufacturing and manufactured products have an effect on everything: economically, socially, and environmentally. And the next chapter promises even more impact and will be just as exciting as the last 250 years.

Celebrating the Past and the Future

As we celebrate the past 250 years of America and reflect on its history, let’s also celebrate and imagine the future. Let’s commemorate American independence while acknowledging the extraordinary role that manufacturing has played in shaping the nation. Let’s honor the people, the ingenuity, the problems solved, and the spirit of American manufacturing. Happy 250th birthday, America. Here’s to the makers and builders, innovators, and problem solvers who have shaped the past and will continue to shape the future.

Data center construction is accelerating rapidly, and while much of the attention is focused on the facilities themselves, the manufacturers behind them play a critical role in making that growth possible.

Not much happens inside a data center. It is really just a lot of computing hardware. But it takes a lot to ensure the computing hardware can do its job. This includes electrical distribution systems, cooling/HVAC equipment, server racks, switchgear, generators, enclosures, and other modular infrastructure. Those are the things that move the data center industry forward, and those are the things that manufacturers across the United States are making.

The demand for these systems and components has really increased the pressure on companies to scale their production while also meeting the demand for quality products and delivery schedules.

FlexTrades is experienced and knowledgeable in just that. We provide the supplemental workforce that supports these manufacturers and do so in a timely manner, with the right skills to ensure a fast ramp-up and quality product. We are helping sustain the growth and demand happening across the data center supply chain.

The Manufacturing Backbone of Data Center Infrastructure

Every new data center depends on a complex network of suppliers and manufacturers before construction of the building can ever begin. The following critical equipment must be designed, fabricated, assembled, tested, and delivered to project sites, and it is all done by U.S. manufacturers:

Power distribution units (PDUs)
Switchgear and electrical control systems
Backup generators and power systems
Cooling and HVAC equipment
Server racks and containment systems
Modular data center components
Cable management systems
Battery storage and UPS solutions
Monitoring and control technologies

What FlexTrades Can Do

To remain competitive, manufacturers need workforce flexibility and the ability to scale quickly when needed. By utilizing the FlexTrades workforce solution, manufacturers are able to:

Respond more quickly to new project requirements
Maintain resilience
Reduce disruptions
Increase production capacity during periods of peak demand
Meet customer demand and delivery schedules
Support facility expansions as production needs grow
Reduce delays in the hiring process
Gain access to specialized technical expertise
Manage growth more effectively

What FlexTrades Has Done

When it comes to aggressive delivery schedules and high demand, one of the biggest challenges facing manufacturers is workforce availability. This is true for almost every industry but is especially true right now for data center growth.

Our highly skilled workforce consists of the following technicians, all of whom we have supplied to manufacturers across the U.S. to help with demand in the data center industry:

Mechanical and Electrical Assemblers
Welders and Fabricators
Electricians
CNC Operators and Machinists
Quality Control Specialists
Test Technicians
Supply Chain and Logistics Personnel
Manufacturing Engineers

By ensuring these critical positions are filled, our customers have been able to increase their throughput, meet demand, and maintain high levels of quality product for these mission-critical applications.

Ready to Support Data Center Growth?

Whether you’re a general contractor, manufacturer, or project team building the next generation of data center infrastructure, having the right workforce in place is critical to meeting production schedules, maintaining quality, and keeping projects on track. Contact FlexTrades today to learn how our skilled workforce solutions can help support your data center construction and manufacturing demands.

Are you an experienced Mechanical or Electrical Assembler, Welder, Fabricator, Electrician, CNC Operator, Machinist, Quality Control Specialist, Test Technician, Manufacturing Engineer, or other skilled manufacturing professional? FlexTrades is actively connecting top talent with leading manufacturers supporting the data center industry. Connect with a recruiter today to start your FlexTrades journey.

As FlexTrades’ General Counsel, a big part of my job is making sure that when a client partners with us, the relationship rests on a foundation that protects everyone involved: our technicians, our clients, and FlexTrades. After spending much of my 20-plus-year legal career reviewing staffing model contracts, talking with clients, and digging into the law that governs our industry, I keep bumping into the same misconception about working with staffing companies.

Allow me to set the record straight: some operations and HR leaders believe that bringing in supplemental workers, whether temporary, contract, or project-based, exposes their company to added legal risk. The worry usually sounds something like: “If we use outside workers, won’t we get stuck with co-employment liability, lawsuits, or benefits claims we wouldn’t have had otherwise?”

It’s an understandable concern. It’s also, for the most part, wrong. And that matters because a flexible workforce is one of the most reliable ways manufacturers meet challenges like sudden swings in demand, a skills gap impacting a critical line, a seasonal surge, or covering a key employee out on medical or family leave.

The real comparison isn’t “staffing vs. nothing.”

Risk is only meaningful in comparison to the alternatives. Let’s break down what we’re comparing.

Compared to hiring employees directly onto your own payroll, partnering with a staffing firm carries roughly the same employment-related risk and, in several areas, less. Compared to filling gaps with independent contractors or gig-style labor, utilizing a staffing company like FlexTrades carries dramatically less risk.

That last point deserves emphasis because it is where client companies can actually get burned. Misclassifying a worker as an independent contractor when the law views them as an employee is one of the most expensive mistakes a business can make. The IRS, U.S. Department of Labor, and state agencies have all leaned hard into enforcement, and the bill for getting it wrong can include back income and payroll taxes, unpaid overtime, plus penalties. Those exposures largely evaporate with a staffing partner for one simple reason: the workers a reputable agency assigns are W-2 employees, fully covered by state and federal employment laws. Our FlexTrades Technicians are W-2 employees of FlexTrades. That status alone does a lot of quiet work to shield our clients from exposure.

The Core Employer Burdens? We Carry Them.

When a FlexTrades Technician is at your job site, a whole category of employer obligations stays with us, not you. Payroll taxes, unemployment insurance, and verifying each worker’s identity and authorization to work are the legal responsibility of FlexTrades as their W-2 employer. Clients are generally insulated from liability in these areas. You get the quality labor, but FlexTrades shoulders the administrative and legal burden behind it.

The Right Person for the Right Job

Lowering your risk doesn’t start with paperwork; it starts with the right match. Before a technician is ever assigned to your site, FlexTrades recruiters review them with real diligence. That means a structured interview to confirm hands-on skills and work history, verification of certifications and credentials against the requirements of your specific job, and a review of references and past assignments. Every technician completes a background check and drug screening before deployment, and we screen for fit with the realities of your environment. This includes the equipment, the safety expectations, the shift, and the demands of travel. The goal is never to simply fill a seat. Rather, the goal is to send you someone who can be productive and safe on day one, because the right match is the single biggest factor in whether a placement strengthens your operation or complicates it.

“Joint/Co-Employment” Isn’t a Trap, and Sometimes It Helps You

Here’s a phrase that sometimes makes people nervous: joint, or co-employment. In most staffing arrangements, the client is considered a joint, or co-employer, because the client supervises and directs the day-to-day work and also controls conditions at the site. That may sound ominous, but in practice, it’s nothing to fear. Your exposure as a joint employer is generally no greater than the exposure you already carry for your own employees, and it is exposure you control through how you run your job site and treat all types of workers.

In one important area, joint employment actually works in your favor: workers’ compensation. FlexTrades carries workers’ comp for our technicians, and because most clients qualify as a “special employer” under state laws, because you supervise the work, the worker consents to the arrangement by accepting the assignment, and the work being done is essentially your work, the protection of the exclusive remedy doctrine typically extends to you as well. Translated out of legalese: if a technician is accidentally injured on your floor, workers’ compensation is usually their exclusive remedy, and you’re generally shielded from a negligence lawsuit. That’s a protection you might not enjoy under other labor arrangements.

One caveat worth its own sentence: companies can forfeit this protection if their contracts go out of their way to disclaim employer or joint-employer status. It’s a good example of why the words in a staffing agreement matter, and why “we’re not the employer in any way” redlines can quietly cost you a defense you might otherwise have.

Where You Still Own Obligations

I won’t pretend that staffing eliminates every employer obligation. Two areas remain a shared responsibility:

Workplace Safety: OSHA protects temporary workers exactly as it protects your internal workers, and the staffing firm and the host, or client, employer share responsibility for safety. The right move, and FlexTrades’ standard practice, is to spell out each party’s role in the contract: site-specific training, hazard communication, PPE, and the rest. Clear allocation protects workers’ safety and creates consistency in the event of a workplace injury.

Equal Employment Opportunity: A staffing arrangement does not shield any party from civil-rights law. You cannot discriminate against or harass a technician any more than you could one of your own employees, and you can be held liable if your team subjects a temporary worker to a hostile environment or retaliation. The standard is the same one you already hold yourself to.

Where You Actually Have Fewer Obligations

Family and Medical Leave Act: For temporary workers, the staffing agency is generally the “primary employer” responsible for providing leave and maintaining benefits. There are headcount-counting nuances, but the core leave obligation sits with us.

Benefits: The lingering fear here traces back to the 1990s Microsoft case, Vizcaino v. Microsoft. Today, the practical safeguard is well established: make sure your plan includes clear exclusionary language and is reviewed by experienced benefits counsel. A word of caution: don’t impose arbitrary caps on assignment length just to dodge benefits eligibility, because that tactic can actually create ERISA exposure rather than avoid it.

Affordable Care Act: Compliance generally rests with the staffing agency as the common-law employer, not the client.

The Bottom Line

Handled correctly, with W-2 employees, a legitimate staffing partner, and a contract that allocates responsibilities clearly, a flexible workforce isn’t a liability you take on. Rather, it’s risk you hand off. The companies carrying the most exposure today aren’t the ones working with staffing firms; they’re the ones leaning on misclassified independent contractors to plug workforce gaps.

That’s what I most want clients to hear from me as FlexTrades’ General Counsel: our model is built so you get the skilled people you need without inheriting the headaches. We carry the employment infrastructure. We put the responsibilities in writing. And we structure the relationship so that the protections, like the workers’ comp exclusive remedy, actually reach you.

If you’d like to talk through how this arrangement looks for your operation, that’s a conversation we welcome. Reach out any time.

Standard lawyer’s caveat: This is general information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, please consult your own counsel.

Walk through a modern manufacturing facility and you’ll see robotic weld cells, automated packaging lines, vision inspection systems, conveyors, sensors, and sophisticated control systems working together to produce products with incredible speed and consistency.

From the outside, it might seem like the machines are doing all the work.

But every manufacturer knows the truth. When automation stops, production stops.

And the people responsible for keeping those systems running are automation technicians.

These skilled professionals have become some of the most valuable people on the plant floor as manufacturing becomes more connected, automated, and technology-driven. They’re the troubleshooters, problem-solvers, and technical experts who ensure manufacturers get the return on investment they expect from increasingly sophisticated equipment.

In many ways, they’re also the bridge between manufacturing’s past and future.

The Human Side of Automation

One of the most common misconceptions about automation is that it reduces the need for skilled workers.

In reality, automation changes the kind of skilled workers manufacturers need.

Today’s automated facilities still rely on people who can install, maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and optimize the systems that drive production. Industrial automation technicians combine mechanical aptitude, electrical knowledge, controls expertise, and software skills to keep these systems operating at peak performance.

At FlexTrades, we see this demand every day. While Automation Technician and Controls Technician are common job titles, manufacturers are also searching for PLC Programmers, Industrial Maintenance Technicians, Robotics Technicians, and other skilled professionals who can confidently work with increasingly automated equipment.

The technology may be evolving, but the need for skilled people has never gone away.

Automation Doesn’t Replace Skilled Trades. It Changes Them.

For decades, people have predicted that automation would eliminate manufacturing jobs.

What we’re actually seeing is something different.

As manufacturing technology becomes more advanced, the need for highly skilled people becomes even more important.

Robots still need to be programmed. Sensors still need to be calibrated. PLCs still need to be diagnosed. Automated systems still need to be maintained, repaired, and optimized.

In many cases, today’s manufacturing facilities require a higher level of technical expertise than ever before.

Modern manufacturing doesn’t need fewer skilled tradespeople. It needs tradespeople with different skills.

Automation technicians are among the clearest examples of how the skilled trades continue to evolve alongside technology rather than being replaced by it.

Why Demand Continues to Grow

Manufacturers across nearly every sector are investing heavily in automation.

Food and beverage producers rely on automated processing and packaging equipment to maintain throughput. Pharmaceutical manufacturers use sophisticated automated systems to ensure consistency and compliance. Automotive, agricultural equipment, and aviation manufacturers depend on robotics, controls systems, and advanced production technology to meet quality and production goals.

The common denominator is simple: automation only creates value when it’s operating reliably.

A robotic cell that isn’t producing parts, a PLC issue that shuts down a line, or a sensor failure that interrupts production can quickly become a costly problem. As equipment becomes more capable, it also becomes more complex.

That’s where automation technicians create tremendous value.

They help manufacturers maximize uptime by:

Troubleshooting equipment failures
Diagnosing electrical and controls issues
Supporting equipment installations and startups
Performing preventive maintenance
Optimizing automated systems
Improving equipment reliability and efficiency

Their work often happens behind the scenes, but its impact is felt throughout the entire operation.

More Than Maintenance

Many people assume automation technicians only get involved when something breaks. The reality is much different.

The best technicians spend significant time preventing failures before they occur. They monitor system performance, identify potential issues, update software, calibrate equipment, and make adjustments that improve reliability.

Their goal isn’t simply fixing equipment. It’s helping manufacturers avoid downtime altogether.

As production systems become increasingly interconnected, that proactive mindset becomes even more valuable. A single issue can affect an entire automated process. Skilled automation professionals understand how those systems interact and can identify root causes quickly, minimizing disruption and keeping production moving.

A Career Built for Problem Solvers

For skilled trades professionals, industrial automation also offers something many careers can’t: continuous growth. No two days ever look exactly the same.

One day may involve troubleshooting a PLC communication issue. The next may involve supporting a robotic system startup, diagnosing a controls problem, or helping optimize production performance.

The technicians who thrive in these roles are often lifelong learners who enjoy solving complex problems and understanding how systems work.

Success typically requires a blend of:

Mechanical troubleshooting
Electrical knowledge
PLC and controls experience
Robotics familiarity
Critical thinking
Adaptability
Continuous learning

For tradespeople who enjoy challenges and want to work at the intersection of technology and manufacturing, industrial automation offers a rewarding and increasingly valuable career path.

The Growing Talent Challenge for Manufacturers

Unfortunately, demand for automation expertise is growing faster than the available talent pool. This is one of the most common challenges we hear from manufacturers across the country.

Many companies aren’t struggling because they don’t recognize the importance of automation talent. They’re struggling because that talent can be difficult to find.

In many markets, employers are competing for the same limited group of experienced technicians. Some manufacturers are located in regions where automation expertise simply isn’t available in sufficient numbers. Others are investing heavily in training and upskilling existing maintenance teams but need support while those efforts develop.

The challenge becomes even greater when production schedules, facility expansions, equipment installations, or critical projects can’t wait for a lengthy hiring process.

That’s why manufacturers increasingly look beyond their local labor market to find the skills they need.

The Future of Manufacturing Still Needs Skilled People

Manufacturing technology will continue advancing. Robots will become smarter. Production systems will become more connected. Artificial intelligence will play a larger role in manufacturing operations.

But none of those innovations eliminate the need for skilled tradespeople. In fact, they increase it.

Manufacturers don’t just need people. They need proven skilled tradespeople who can create certainty in increasingly complex production environments.

Industrial automation technicians, robotics technicians, PLC programmers, and other automation-focused professionals play a critical role in making that happen.

For manufacturers, they’re essential to productivity, uptime, and operational success.

For skilled trades professionals, they represent one of the most exciting and future-focused career paths in modern manufacturing.

And for both, they’re a reminder that the future of manufacturing isn’t less human than before. It’s more dependent than ever on the right people with the right skills.

In June of 1996, the National Safety Council (NSC) announced the first National Safety Month. Thirty years later, the annual June observance continues to promote workplace safety to employers and employees in high-risk industries, including manufacturing.

This year, the first week of National Safety Month focuses on moving safety forward by advancing a culture of safety with forward-thinking strategies and tools.

This blog will focus on some of the strategies and tools that FlexTrades uses year-round to promote safety in the workplace for our employees.

Proactive Approach

Our Risk & Safety Team is involved with every project before we have any boots on the ground. Before sending one of our employees into what could be a dangerous environment, it is important to understand the risks a project presents and ensure that each potential job site is proactively addressing those risks to keep people safe.

Some of the first documents we request from a potential client are their OSHA logs and safety records. The Risk & Safety Team reviews those documents to understand the site history and ensure safety compliance.

Sometimes, we will find a gap in a potential client’s safety approach or documentation. Whenever that happens, we work to resolve those gaps. Worst case, we may decline a project if we do not feel those gaps can be properly filled or if there is unnecessary risk to a FlexTrades employee. But normally, safety concerns are addressed and we can confidently move forward.

Early in the relationship, our Risk & Safety Team builds a relationship with the client safety point of contact so there is a direct line of communication from the start.

Communicating Safety

Safety is everyone’s responsibility, and it is important to regularly communicate safety topics to keep them top of mind. At FlexTrades, we produce content that helps maintain safety awareness across the industry. That includes anything from blogs like this to social media posts that promote content from organizations like the National Safety Council (NSC) or Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

It is equally important to consistently and clearly communicate safety information to our technicians. Leading up to a deployment, our technicians receive all the details about the project they will be starting. This includes their travel arrangements and details about their position, but it also includes Safety First Reminders.

Safety First Reminders include the basics, like what PPE a technician is required to bring versus what will be provided on site. The reminders also include position-specific information. For instance, a welder’s Safety First Reminders will include reminders about ventilation, inspecting equipment, protective barriers, and fire safety.

Reporting Unsafe Conditions

Unfortunately, this is not a perfect world. Bad things can happen despite proactive efforts to prevent them, and we always want to be aware of any unsafe activity so we can address it and learn how to prevent it.

With that in mind, we created an Employee Safety Hotline. This is a phone number provided to all employees where they can anonymously report anything that is unsafe on a job site.

What can be reported?

Unsafe working conditions
Accidents, injuries, or near misses
Harassment, bullying, or workplace violence
Any concerns affecting safety or well-being

For some people, it can be hard to speak up about these topics, especially if it involves a coworker or leader. With this anonymous hotline, we hope to enable all our employees to comfortably report any unsafe activities.

Recognizing Safe Practices

It is also important to celebrate safe outcomes and recognize the people who go above and beyond to contribute to them. Our SpotSafe Program empowers our Operations Engagement Managers (OEMs) to quickly recognize technicians for safe, proactive behavior. It also provides additional incentives for everyone to find ways to maintain the highest safety standards.

Why should this be important to everyone?

Safer, more efficient projects with reduced risk and downtime
Hazards are identified and corrected in real time
A strong safety culture is promoted on projects
Technicians are motivated to perform at their best

There are three categories for recognition in the SpotSafe Program.

The first category for recognition is “Hazard Hero.” This recognizes employees for reporting and/or correcting hazards or near misses. A hazard or near miss may not cause an injury the first time or even the hundredth time, but it represents a gap that can be filled to keep everyone safe.

The second category for recognition is “Safe Start.” This recognizes employees for consistently following PPE requirements on site. PPE requirements are based on lessons learned in blood and tears, and they are the last line of defense in the Hierarchy of Controls.

The third category is “Lead by Example.” This recognizes employees for coaching peers, mentoring, or leading safety initiatives. Leadership is not just top-down. Someone who takes safety to heart and encourages those around them to do the same is extremely valuable.

Winners receive a certificate announcing which category they were nominated for. They also earn raffle entries for monthly and annual awards that include prizes and company-wide recognition.

Conclusion

National Safety Month serves as an important reminder that safety is never a one-time conversation or a box to check. In manufacturing and skilled trades, maintaining a strong culture of safety requires consistent communication, proactive planning, accountability, and recognition of the people who make safety a priority every day.

At FlexTrades, safety is built into every stage of the process. From evaluating projects before they begin, to preparing technicians for the environments they will enter, to creating open channels for reporting concerns and recognizing employees who lead by example, these efforts are all part of our commitment to protecting our people and helping create safer, more productive job sites for everyone involved.

As we recognize National Safety Month this June, we encourage everyone across the industry to continue moving safety forward by staying proactive, speaking up, and supporting one another both on and off the job site.