Andy Wadman, Author at FlexTrades

Does your company have a complex staffing problem that requires a flexible solution? FlexTrades has solved manufacturing headaches for hundreds of companies big and small in all 50 states. We have a skilled workforce that is professional and ready to come to you. Consider just a few ways that your company can use our flexibility to solve your skilled labor problems.

Five ways FlexTrades Clients See “Flex” in FlexTrades:

Large Projects to Small Projects – One client in the consumer goods industry needed FlexTrades’ Technicians to run their entire production process. We were at the client’s site using their machines, but 100% of the work was done by FlexTrades employees. We’ve also had clients who purchased a new machine and just needed one expert to come in to set it up and train their staff on how to run it.

Project Duration – We solved short-term production backlogs in eight weeks when a client needed a quick influx of productivity. FlexTrades’ Technicians kept a client’s facility running for multiple years in a row. We can fill any shift you are running, whether that’s a day shift and night shift, or a first shift, second shift and third shift. Our only requirement is that it’s at least 50 hours per week because our Technicians really like to work! We’re true partners, and our timelines can flex as needed to get the job done right.

Recurring Need vs One-Time Need – We can help you with recurring seasonal work or work based on cyclical market trends and order cycle fluctuations. Or we can help with your one-time backlog to get you caught up. Our solution is flexible enough to fit your unique manufacturing requirements.

Variety of Skilled Technicians – Our technicians have been deployed to fill just about every role found in manufacturing. Our clients most commonly require skilled Machinists, Welders, Maintenance Techs and Production Techs. Many clients also need Assemblers, Diesel Techs, Electrical Techs, Engineers, Fabricators, Machine Operators, Material Handlers, Programmers and more!

Quick Spool Up Time & Less HR Work for You – Generally, it takes a few weeks for a FlexTrades Technician to get up to speed. Many of our clients are shocked by their speed and proficiency after having worked with more typical staffing options and other workforce providers. FlexTrades provides an extensive support system to its Technicians to help limit extra work for your HR, management, and administrative staff. You just need to point our Technicians to their workspace and watch them get you back on track.

Why FlexTrades?

We chose the name “FlexTrades” because we recognize the importance of being flexible. Each of our clients has a unique staffing problem that requires a custom solution. We help them take advantage of our flexibility with our skilled and professional workforce. Click here to read more about our innovative solutions. If you’re ready to tackle your workforce problems, reach out to our Business Development Department today for a FREE, no strings attached consultation!

It is April, 1949, in West Berlin. Western Allied soldiers walk the streets, there are military checkpoints to get in or out of the city, and the Berlin Airlift is at its peak. Every 45 seconds, the roar of a U.S. Air Force Douglas C-54 Skymaster is heard flying over apartments. Food, coal, diesel, and petrol is being delivered to the city by U.S. and U.K. pilots. The 2.5 million residents of West Berlin will survive another day.

The Blockade Begins

Following World War II, Germany was split between the Allied powers. Berlin was in the Soviet occupation zone, but the city itself was split into Soviet controlled East Berlin and Western Allied controlled West Berlin. On June 24, 1948, Soviet forces blockaded rail, road, and water access to Allied-controlled areas of Berlin. The supply chain for food and coal for electricity was cut off. It was estimated that West Berlin had food to last 36 days and only 45 days worth of coal. Something had to be done fast if the Allies wanted to sustain the population.

The Berlin Airlift

U.S. General Lucius D. Clay suggested an Allied airlift operation to supply West Berliners. And just two days later, on June 26, 1948, the United States launched “Operation Vittles.” The United Kingdom joined the effort with “Operation Plainfare” on June 28^th. This was the beginning of The Berlin Airlift.

Incredible Facts About The Berlin Airlift:

In the beginning, the goal was to bring in 3,475 tons of supplies every day. However, it took time to ramp up to that goal. In the first week of the airlift, 90 tons of supplies were delivered every day. By the second week, 1,000 tons were delivered daily. By the spring of 1949, that original goal was smashed because 12,941 tons of supplies were being delivered daily.
To save time, many flights didn’t even land. They would air drop supplies into the airfields using parachutes.
The flights that landed flew out of West Berlin with manufactured goods.
American C-47 and C-54 aircraft flew over 92,000,000 miles. That’s only a million miles short of the average distance to the sun!
Operation Little Vittles: On July 17, 1948, U.S. pilot Lieutenant Gail “The Candy Bomber” Halvorsen flew to Tempelhof Airport on his day off. He offered his only two sticks of Wrigley’s Doublemint Gum to a crowd of children at the end of the runway. He promised that when he returned, he would bring more. When asked how the children would know it was him, he replied, “I’ll wiggle my wings.” The next day when flying into Tempelhof, he rocked his wings and dropped chocolate bars attached to handkerchief parachutes to the children waiting below. Soon after, mail arrived at the base addressed to “Uncle Wiggly Wings,” “The Chocolate Uncle,” and “The Chocolate Flier.” Maj. Gen. William H Tunner, who was in command of the airlift, expanded the effort into “Operation Little Vittles.” Other pilots started dropping candy, children in the U.S. sent candy to help, and major candy manufacturers joined in, too. German children called the aircraft “raisin bombers” or “candy bombers.” Over 23 tons of candy were dropped using more than 250,000 parachutes.
Throughout the operation, a total of 2,334,374 tons of supplies were delivered to West Berlin. The U.S. Air Force delivered 1,783,573 tons and the RAF delivered 541,937 tons.

On May 12, 1949, the blockade was lifted. Supply convoys were allowed to resume on the ground through the Soviet controlled sector. The airlift continued until September 30, 1949, out of fear that the blockade could be reinstated. The Berlin Airlift successfully sustained West Berlin for 15 straight months.

The Cost

The operation was a success, but everything has a cost. Over the course of the operation, 17 American and 8 British aircraft crashed. Sadly, there were 101 fatalities associated with The Berlin Airlift, mostly due to non-flying accidents. That included 31 Americans and 40 Britons who lost their lives to help save West Berlin.

What Can We Learn?

Supply chains can be shaken by events out of our control. The Soviet blockade in 1948 stopped the supply chain of food and supplies into West Berlin. A global pandemic and some bad driving in the Suez Canal caused the global supply chain to faulter, and for a couple weeks we didn’t even have toilet paper on shelves at the store.

Fortunately, humans and industry take on challenges and find solutions. In the aftermath of COVID-19, companies around the world are re-building their supply chains to be more resilient. Many U.S. companies are bringing their critical manufacturing infrastructure closer to home. There is a growing need for skilled trades people in all industries.

At FlexTrades, we do our best to live up to amazing examples of urgent problem solving, like the Western Allies throughout The Berlin Airlift. We work with companies across the country to solve their manufacturing headaches and employ hundreds of the most skilled and professional trades people in every discipline. Check out www.flextrades.com to learn more about what we can do for your company or for your career.

There were too many amazing stories, characters, and facts to include in one blog. Read more about the Berlin Airlift in these websites I used while researching this topic:

What is the definition of a dream job in manufacturing? There is no wrong answer to this question. Most of us will have a different definition, and that will probably change over the course of our careers. My dream job allows me to excel at my craft, learn new skills, and have a seamless work-life balance to enjoy my hobbies and time with family and friends. The “Flex” in FlexTrades means that we offer flexibility to our employees by allowing them to build an exciting and rewarding career, however you define the term “dream job.”

Five Ways Technicians Can “Flex” With FlexTrades

Variety of work: At FlexTrades, you have the flexibility to pick and choose which project to accept. One Technician may choose projects to get experience with new tools or new processes. Another Technician may only choose projects using the tool they are most experienced with. Whether you want to become a jack of all trades or the very best at a specific skill, you can find the right fit with FlexTrades.

Work your preferred schedule: The flexibility to choose when you work, and when you have time off, is not easy to find. Some of our Technicians are true ‘road warriors’ who go from project-to-project to bank experience and pay as quickly as possible. Some of our Technicians take a well-deserved break between projects. Some of our Technicians even prefer third-shift projects while others prefer second shift. FlexTrades is flexible and allows you to work the schedule that suits you best.

Choose your workplace: Our clients range from small mom-and-pop shops to massive Fortune 100 companies. Do you want the community of a smaller shop? Do you want to operate cutting edge equipment in a multi-million-dollar facility? With FlexTrades, you have the flexibility to choose the type of company you want to work with.

Go where you want: Our technicians have the flexibility to choose where they travel for assignments. Some choose the next project based on how soon they can start and will travel wherever the work brings them. Others choose to stay closer to home so they can visit their family and friends on a day off. Many choose projects based on what the region has to offer for hiking, fishing, hunting, or other hobbies to pursue in their free time.

Commitment to one project at a time: Once you’ve completed a project commitment, there are no strings attached. If you want to go right to the next project, you can. If you want to take time off at home before choosing your next project, you can do that, too. If you want to bring your experience to a facility in your town, we’ve got you covered. FlexTrades is flexible so as to encourage our Technicians to always do what is best for their themselves, their family and their careers.

We chose the name “FlexTrades” because we recognize the importance of being flexible. Our Technicians take advantage of that flexibility.

If you are seeking more freedom with your job, take a look at some of our open positions. If you’re ready to apply, contact a recruiter today. We’d love for you to see for yourself what puts the “flex” in FlexTrades!

Why Corey Loves Working With FlexTrades:

Jeremy P. Loves the Ability to Travel

National Donor Day: Awareness

Did you know National Donor Day was on February 14? The purpose of this day is to educate people about the importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation. It’s also the perfect time to show some love for people waiting for organ transplants.

We dedicate this day to recognizing those individuals who have given, or received, the gift of life through donation; to those who are currently awaiting a transplant and to those who have passed while waiting for an organ donation. But February 14th does not have to be the only day of the year we recognize donors.

It’s estimated that more than 121,000 people are currently waiting for an organ transplant in the United States. Did you know that the average wait time for a kidney is four years? It also takes about nine years to receive a heart. Everyone will experience different wait times based on priority and availability.

What We Can Do

One way to make a difference is by registering, and encouraging others to register, as a donor. Another way is to give blood. Blood is crucial for surgeries and can aid in saving lives. And here’s a fun fact — three people can be saved with a single pint of blood!

Sign Up for the National Donate Life Registry

Take charge of the legacy you will leave behind. One organ donor can save as many as eight lives! Register here.

Create Habits and Stay Mindful in 2024

Happy New Year, everyone! 2024 is here whether you’re ready for it or not. The new-year pressure to make positive changes and set big goals can be overwhelming. Here are some tips on how to create habits and stay mindful.

Three Tips to Help Create Habits and Stay Mindful

1. Shift Your Mindset: “Your reality is a projection of your thoughts or the things you habitually think about.” – Stephen Richards, How to Get Everything You Can Imagine: Volume 1: How Mind Power Works

How to Have a Positive Mindset

Write down what you are grateful for.
Consume positive media.
Surround yourself with positive people.
Write out a “wins” checklist each day.
Create a morning mindset routine – Make sure you have one thing to look forward to that day.
Take inventory on your thoughts throughout the day.

2. The Two-Minute Rule: If it can be done in less than two minutes, just do it. Using the two-minute rule from the book, Atomic Habits, by James Clear. This rule helps get you started and build momentum.

Nearly Any Habit Can Be Scaled Down to a Two-Minute Version

“Read before bed each night” becomes “read one page.”
“Do thirty minutes of yoga” becomes “take out my yoga mat.”
“Study for class” becomes “open my notes.”
“Fold the laundry” becomes “fold one towel.”
“Run three miles” becomes “tie my running shoes.”

3. Small Changes Big Results: Make your habits simple & easy.

How to Choose a Habit to Form (Source: CNN health)

Set a specific goal and start small.
Create a plan. Make the plan detailed and include time of day and duration.
Make it fun. Research shows if you do not enjoy the process, you will not stick to it.
Be flexible. Allow yourself a few “get out of jail free cards.” Sometimes things come up that will disrupt your plan. Consistency is key.
Find social support. Tell a friend / family member the habit you are working toward building.

Habit Example: I want to get more steps each day.

Specific Goal: I want to get at least 7,000 steps each day.
Plan: Each morning, I will begin my day with a 10-minute walk outside.
Make it fun: On Wednesdays, I will walk to my local coffee shop.
Flexibility: If it is snowing / raining outside, I will let myself skip the walk that day.
Support: Ask a friend to join me in tracking 7,000 steps each day.

List of Mindfulness Tips to Add to Your 2024 Routine:

Intentional Breathing – Set a timer 1-3 times a day to breathe with intention. The breath counts should be a 5 second inhale / 5 second exhale / 5 times kind of thing. Simply put, try intentional / controlled breathing for at least 60 seconds.
Stretching through the motions – Create time throughout the day to do simple stretches: arms, neck, and back.
Eat with meaning – Eat with your less dominant hand and wait a few seconds before taking your next bite. When possible, eat without TV, phone or external entertainment.
Sleep Preparation – Find a set time to wake up and go to bed. Wake up 5 minutes earlier. Eliminate screen time 10-30 minutes before bed and instead try reading for 10 minutes each night.

Do you want more tips and tricks on how to start your new year off right? Check out Debunking New Year’s Resolutions.

October 16, is about celebrating the bosses and leaders in our lives. Since this day lands on a Sunday, take one of these ideas below to help your boss feel appreciated Monday.

Buy a card & write your boss some kind words of appreciation.
Bring your boss a coffee, or send a gift card.
Order your boss their favorite lunch.
Send your boss a meaningful gift that suits their tastes.
Offer your boss a simple “Thank you”. It can go a long way!

We hope you can gloat about your bosses the way our FlexTrades team does!

“—— has been hands down one of the best bosses I have ever worked with. From day 1 as a new employee, not only did he believe in me but showed me the how and why we do things certain ways. He is a very supportive and easy to follow leader who always supports us, and I greatly appreciate working for him. Happy National Boss’s Day to all the leaders out there!”

“My boss continually sets me up for success day in and day out. She encourages me and continues to offer me opportunities to grow professionally.”

“She is a fantastic mentor and leader. Her knowledge in technology stacks is unmatched and she brings a wealth of knowledge from her past industry experience. I’m thrilled to be working directly with her to bring FlexTrades to new heights!”

“She was instrumental in sparking a curiosity and interest in manufacturing and skilled trades more generally for me. She has always been more than willing to share her wealth of knowledge and effortlessly conveys complex ideas to people who have no background in manufacturing. If not for her – I am not sure I would be where I am today without FlexTrades.”

“He has played a large role in my professional development since joining the team. I am very grateful for the ways he has helped me progress with the company, meet my own professional goals, and gain experiences that I never even expected to be a part of my role with FlexTrades”

“After eight years with the company I have several bosses from project managers on up. Some that have really helped me out along the way and helped guide me to where I am today. I would like to give them all a big shout out to say Thank You and that I am grateful for all the guidance along the way.”

“She was always there to answer my questions or point me in the direction of someone with the answer. She is always ready to solve a problem and find a solution within means that accompanies everyone in the company. I am thankful to have had her as a supervisor and colleague.”

she has given me so much information and insight to move me forward in recruiting. She is a boss who gives her team the time to learn the process, dispute any underlying concerns, and make you the best version of yourself.”

“Bosses aren’t always leaders and leaders aren’t always bosses. It’s great when the two things come together though and that takes just the right person. Someone who, no matter their hierarchy or tenure at a company, is always willing to learn from others, ask the questions so they can learn, and is open to feedback, as well. Someone who reflects on the positives and negatives, is always looking for ways to improve, and is not complacent with what’s in place because it’s “good enough and it works”.

“I had a manager (I think the term boss has a negative connotation these days) who was all that and more. My manager respected me, motivated me, allowed space for me, and is really the one person (besides myself) who brought me to the level I’m at today. I’ll forever be grateful for the mentorship, patience, encouragement, and friendship this manager gave and gives to me.”

“He has been a great leader and I’ve been very appreciative of all I’ve learned from him during my time at Flextrades. Thank you for all you continue to do!”

“She leads by example as well as by dictation. She is always tough, but extremely fair in decisions.  I don’t know if I have worked with anyone else under her who is not influenced/motivated by her.”

“He’s been a good boss to work for, I’ve had no issues with him. He works through problems with us and is good on the follow up. He stays positive overall and is pleasant to work for. He takes time to put together numbers for us to review and everything is always accurate. He’s a good motivator and keeps us going in the right direction.”

“She has been an amazing leader! She truly cares about everyone and wants the best for everyone she meets. She is kind, understanding, and patient. She wants everyone to be the best at what they do and helps in any way she can to see them succeed! Thank you for being an amazing boss and all-around good person!”

“She is exactly the type of boss I’d dream up if it wasn’t already my reality! She’s kind, appreciative, gentle with her constructive criticism (but knows how to get her point across at the same time), knows how important professional growth is and is supportive of who I want to become. She’s compassionate, understands the inner workings of a working mom, and frequently checks in to just see how things are going – both professionally and personally. On National Boss’s Day, I hope she knows how lucky I am to get to work for her, because it’s definitely not something I take for granted!”

“I appreciate my bosses for the kindness and transparency. A long with teaching me new skills to empower me each day.”

“My boss has provided an opportunity that allows me the autonomy and flexibility to structure my day, while also knowing that I am supported as much as I need at the same time. I appreciate the trust that is shown and that I have in them as well!”

Today, September 22nd, is American Businesswomen’s Day! This day was made to honor the women in our workforce and the impact that they have created. Observing this day allows women of many different occupations, cultures, and networks to celebrate one another.

Here are some ways that you can celebrate the women in our workforce:

Find women owned companies to visit and give them your business!
Network with women in your industry and seek a woman outside of your industry to grow your female business connections.
Listen to a Podcast produced by a woman.
Donate to a local college that has a woman in business club.
Find a women owned nonprofit to donate/volunteer at. Dress For Success is a great organization to investigate.
Encourage your company to partner with a woman in business development group.
Watch this Ted Talk by Diana Nyad, to listen to her story and become reinspired to “Never Give Up”.

We are proud of the women in our workforce and proud that many women are prominent leaders in their industries. It is no longer uncommon for women to be commanders in the business world and that alone is something worth celebrating!

What Beard Are You??

September 3rd is World Beard Day! What is Beard Day? It occurs every year on the first Saturday in September. On this day, people internationally celebrate their face ferrets. In the beginning of history most men had beards to keep warm.

This day is observed to celebrate and promote those who were gifted with good facial hair genetics. If you want to get started on growing your chin curtain here is a link to the perfect beard growth starter kit.

To those who participate in the beard life… here are some tips on how to maintain your manly mane.

Trim your Beard. If you have a goal to grow your mane, make sure you are trimming the hair. Link to Beard Kit Here.
Keep it Clean. Consider purchasing a beard wash to stay fresh and avoid irritation.
Tame and Style. Use some beard oil and comb that facial hair.
Take your Vitamins. For optimal hair growth keep up on your health routine.

If you follow these tips… maybe one day you will be able to catch up to Mr. Hans Langseth, whose beard was over 17 feet long.

*** SHOW US YOUR MANLY MANE BY SENDING US A PHOTO OR TAGGING US IN YOUR BEARD PIC ON INSTAGRAM***

Did you know that FlexTrades has an entire behind the scenes safety team!? It’s called “Safety First”. FlexTrades’ #1 priority is to keep our people safe on and off the job!

“Safety matters because you matter” – Brenda Lovitz, FlexTrades’ Safety Manager.

We have been bringing awareness to the importance of staying hydrated. All across the United States the temperatures have been HOT this summer.

Here are some tips on how to stay hydrated:

Drink water throughout the day… attempt 8-10 ounces every 1-2 hours. Drinking water at shorter intervals is more effective than drinking large amounts infrequently.
If you are working in the heat… you will require more water consumption.
Try to avoid… energy drinks, surplus of caffeine, or any alcohol. If you do choose to consume any of these, you will require more water consumption to stay hydrated.
Eat regular meals through the day… this will help you retain the salt that you lose when sweating and moving around.
Carry a water bottle with you… having this with you will make it easier to drink water.

Safety First is what FlexTrades Plans, Practices and Prioritizes.