The headlines are confusing. In July, the unemployment rate was 4.2%, suggesting a tight labor market. At the same time, many leaders are cautious about adding full-time employees. Budgets are tight, approvals are slow, and no one wants to overbuild their teams in uncertain times.
But here’s the reality: the work still has to get done. Orders need to be filled, production lines need to run, and customers still expect on-time delivery.
Why Leaders Are Choosing Flexibility
United Talent Staffing sees what you see:
- Manufacturing employment is holding steady at 12.7 million people, but monthly gains are uneven. Some weeks lines run hot; others they cool.
- Major companies are investing. GE just announced a $3 billion commitment to U.S. manufacturing, proving reshoring is accelerating. But that also means demand will keep shifting with tariffs, trade dynamics, and supply chain shocks.
- The “Great Shrinking” is here—leaders are deliberately running leaner, using AI, automation, and redesign to get more done with fewer permanent roles.
In this climate, contingent labor is the smart tool. It lets you flex without locking in, absorb spikes without bloating org charts, and stay agile when demand whipsaws.
5 Reasons Contingent Labor Is the Right Tool Right Now
- Match capacity to volatility. Scale crews up or down for order swings, model runs, changeovers, or maintenance windows.
- Speed without red tape. Get qualified people on-site fast, even while permanent requisitions are frozen.
- Reshoring flexibility. Start up new shifts during ramp-up, then right-size once production stabilizes.
- Skills on demand. Find talent in quality, logistics, maintenance, and more—when and where you need it.
- Better cost control. Convert fixed labor into variable spend. United Talent handles recruiting, screening, payroll taxes, and compliance, so you stay focused on operations.
Your Role: The Decisive Leader
You’re the hero of this story—navigating uncertainty, keeping your team productive, and making smart choices that protect your business.
United Talent is your guide. With 58 years of experience, we help you see clearly, cut through uncertainty, and flex your workforce to match today’s reality.
Contact United Talent Staffing
Don’t let mixed signals slow you down. Call us today, and let’s build a flexible staffing plan that keeps your work moving forward—no matter what the market does.