How Effex Helped a High-Volume Manufacturer Overcome Peak Season Workforce Gaps

The Challenge: Scaling for Peak Season Without Sacrificing Performance

In the world of customized print and production, volume swings can be extreme. During non-peak times, this facility maintained a lean workforce of around 300 people. But during the holiday season, headcount needed to spike to over 1,200 workers—fast.

With tight customer deadlines tied to gift-giving occasions, the stakes were high. Service-level agreements left no room for delays, and missing delivery windows risked not just penalties, but long-term customer relationships.

Before partnering with Effex, the company cycled through five staffing agencies in quick succession. The labor was inconsistent. Training had to restart almost daily. Absenteeism was rampant. And most staffing providers simply couldn't meet the scale or speed required—especially during peak season.

Despite clear forecasting, previous partners consistently underdelivered on hiring targets. Shifts went understaffed. Overtime costs soared. Employee morale dropped. And operational efficiency suffered.

The Turning Point: A Partner That Planned Ahead and Showed Up

That's when they found Effex.

Effex doesn't operate like traditional staffing agencies. The company's exclusive model—serving only one client per market—meant all recruiting, screening, and staffing efforts were dedicated to this single facility.

From day one, Effex embedded itself with leadership. Weekly onsite meetings and monthly executive sessions ensured alignment at every level. By the time peak season arrived, Effex was fully prepared—delivering the workforce required, fully trained and ready to go.

Effex also introduced an onsite recruiting center, allowing candidates to tour the facility and understand the work environment before accepting roles. This upfront transparency improved retention, lowered turnover, and ensured better cultural fit from the start.

The Result: A Workforce Built for Growth, Not Just the Season

Over the following years, the partnership flourished. Temporary labor became stable. Many seasonal employees turned their roles into full-time careers. Overtime and training costs were reduced, absenteeism dropped, and the production floor ran at peak capacity—even during the busiest weeks of the year.

Effex didn't just provide workers—they became a trusted extension of the business. The results were felt across operations, leadership, and most importantly, customer satisfaction.