Stacey Jaeger and Josh Erickson with FlexTrades

Scott MacKenzie hosts the Industrial Talk podcast, celebrating industrial professionals at the FABTECH conference in Orlando, Florida. Stacy, Director of Marketing, and Josh, Public Engagement and PR, from Flex Trades, discuss their company's role in bridging manufacturing workforce gaps. Flex Trades deploys skilled technicians across the U.S. to fill temporary needs, offering a consultative approach to understand client requirements and provide the best fit. They emphasize the importance of character, commitment, and continuous training for their technicians. The company, celebrating its 20th anniversary, has not yet ventured into international markets but focuses on capturing more U.S. market share. Contact information for Flex Trades is available on their website and social media platforms.

Action Items

• [ ] Explore opportunities for international expansion of Flex Trades' services.
• [ ] Promote Flex Trades' services and connect with the company through their website, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

Outline

Introduction and Welcome to Industrial Talk Podcast

• Scott MacKenzie introduces the Industrial Talk Podcast, emphasizing its focus on industry professionals and their innovations.
• Scott welcomes listeners and highlights the importance of celebrating industrial professionals who solve problems and make the world a better place.
• The podcast is recorded at FABTECH in Orlando, Florida, with Scott noting the event's massive scale and its significance for the manufacturing industry.
• Scott mentions the event's location is expected to shift to Chicago next year, encouraging listeners to attend and meet industry leaders.

Introduction of Stacy and Josh from Flex Trades

• Scott introduces Stacey and Josh from Flex Trades, a company specializing in manufacturing workforce solutions.
• Stacey provides a brief background, mentioning her role as the Director of Marketing at Flex Trades for about eight years.
• Josh describes his role in public engagement and public relations, emphasizing his passion for the manufacturing industry and his involvement in media activities.
• Both Stacey and Josh express their enthusiasm for the conference and the importance of showcasing the cool and innovative aspects of the manufacturing industry.

Overview of Flex Trades and Its Unique Offerings

• Stacey explains that Flex Trades specializes in manufacturing workforce solutions, deploying highly skilled technicians across the US.
• The company bridges production gaps for manufacturers, providing technicians who can hit the ground running and work for as long as needed.
• Flex Trades has a national footprint, allowing them to deploy technicians from various locations to projects anywhere in the US.
• The company's unique model allows manufacturers to fill temporary needs without relying solely on local talent.

Consultancy Process and Client Engagement

• Josh describes the consultancy process Flex Trades uses to understand client needs and match them with the right technicians.
• The process involves a detailed interview with the client to identify specific technical requirements and the type of technician needed.
• Flex Trades then matches these requirements with their bench of technicians, ensuring a good fit for both the client and the technician.
• The company handles travel logistics, ensuring technicians can work on projects across the country.

Vetting and Training of Technicians

• Stacey outlines the vetting process for technicians, emphasizing the importance of finding the right skill sets and character traits.
• Flex Trades uses specific interview questions and character assessments to ensure technicians have the necessary skills and are a good fit for the job.
• Josh highlights the importance of technicians having the right personality and being able to integrate into new environments.
• The company offers training reimbursement programs to help technicians upgrade their skills and stay current with industry developments.

Incidental and Formal Training Programs

• Stacey explains that technicians often receive incidental training on the job, learning new skills and processes as they work on different projects.
• Flex Trades also provides formal training programs focused on safety, soft skills, and leadership development.
• The tuition reimbursement program encourages technicians to pursue additional certifications and training, enhancing their career opportunities.
• The company aims to flip the paradigm, viewing these roles as careers rather than just jobs, and supports technicians in their professional growth.

Future Plans and International Expansion

• Scott inquires about Flex Trades' plans for international expansion, with Josh and Stacy mentioning the company's focus on capturing more market share in the US.
• The company has not yet ventured into international projects due to the complexities involved, but they are open to exploring these opportunities in the future.
• Flex Trades is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, highlighting the company's long-standing presence in the industry.
• The company is committed to continuing its growth and innovation within the US market before expanding internationally.

Closing Remarks and Contact Information

• Scott thanks Stacey and Josh for sharing their insights and emphasizes the importance of their work in the manufacturing industry.
• Stacy provides contact information for Flex Trades, directing listeners to their website and various social media platforms.
• Josh mentions his personal LinkedIn profile and encourages listeners to reach out for manufacturing-related discussions and marketing stories.
• Scott reiterates the value of Flex Trades' solutions and encourages listeners to connect with the company for their manufacturing needs.