Struggling to Hire in Food Manufacturing? Improve the Commute

The food manufacturing industry faces a growing recruitment crisis. Labour shortages, compounded by the impact of Brexit, and the oftentimes remote locations of its production facilities have made it increasingly challenging to attract, nurture and retain a skilled workforce, and that’s before factoring in the cost to hire. An effective, yet often overlooked solution is the improvement of employee commutes. With a fully managed, technology powered shuttle service, like those provided by Zeelo, food manufacturers can overcome these hurdles and build a more stable and resilient workforce. 

What are the key recruitment challenges in Food Manufacturing?

Labour shortages - The UK’s food manufacturing workforce has been heavily impacted by Brexit, reducing access to EU workers who have historically made up a significant portion of the labour pool. As a result, the industry has seen a 15% shortage in skilled labour, making it a challenge for employers to fill essential roles.

Remote worksite locations - Food production facilities are often located far from urban centres, in areas poorly served by public transport. Without affordable and accessible commuting options, potential applicants often decline job opportunities in favour of roles with easier travel.

Job perception - The food industry has long struggled to combat outdated perceptions of low wage and taxing working conditions. While both have improved dramatically, persistent misconceptions are making it harder to attract younger workers.

High turnover rates - Beyond simply filling roles, retention is a major challenge. Long, stressful and costly commutes are contributing to steadily increasing turnover rates, as the workforce leaves for jobs with easier site accessibility, reduced stress and a better work/life balance.

How employee transportation solutions are solving these issues

Zeelo provides customizable, tech-powered transportation services designed specifically to improve workforce mobility and enhance recruitment outcomes by:

Designing custom routes for maximum accessibility - Using anonymised employee postcode data, public transport proximity, shift patterns and travel intent data, Zeelo designs optimised routes for maximum coverage, occupancy and efficiency. This in turn guarantees that employees have a convenient, direct, cost-efficient and reliable way to get to and from work; further supporting long term punctuality and attendance.

Expanding available talent pools - When transportation barriers are removed, food manufacturers can tap into a wider pool of skilled candidates; including workers from surrounding towns, underserved communities and labour hotspots who previously lacked reliable access to viable transport options.

Reducing absenteeism - Lacking access to reliable transportation can often lead to late arrivals, or workers simply not showing up at all. Zeelo’s fully managed shuttle services can ensure employees have a consistent and dependable commute, significantly reducing tardiness or absenteeism, while driving increased productivity and predictability in staffing levels.

Reducing costs and driving efficiency - Zeelo shuttle solutions have helped support companies like 2 Sisters Food Group and Ocado save hundreds of thousands annually, by reducing staff turnover, recruitment expenses and productivity losses incurred by absenteeism/

Supporting sustainability goals - With carbon neutral trips, optimised routing and a shared transportation model, Zeelo is helping businesses cut down on scope 3 emissions, significantly reducing their carbon footprint. By decreasing the reliance on single occupancy vehicles, food manufacturers can cut emissions, improve corporate social responsibility metrics and align with company wide sustainability targets.

What are the business benefits of partnering with Zeelo?

1. Enhanced Recruitment Capabilities - By making remote facilities more accessible, Zeelo enables food manufacturers to attract a larger and more diverse workforce, ensuring that vacancies are filled faster and more efficiently.

2. Higher Retention Rates - A stress-free and reliable commute enhances employee satisfaction, contributing to lower turnover and higher retention rates. Employees who don’t struggle with transportation challenges are more likely to stay with their employer long-term.

3. Increased Operational Stability - With improved attendance and lower absenteeism, companies can enjoy smoother operations, better workforce planning, and lower overhead costs related to hiring and training replacement staff.

4. Scalability and Flexibility - Zeelo’s transport solutions are fully scalable. As workforce needs change, routes and schedules can be adjusted, ensuring cost-effective transport solutions that grow with the business.

The food manufacturing sector stands at a critical juncture, where addressing transportation challenges can no longer be seen as a nice to have, it has become an essential part of maintaining a reliable supply chain. By partnering with Zeelo, food manufacturers can overcome recruitment barriers, enhance employee satisfaction and future proof their team with a fully managed commuting solution.

If your business is struggling to hire and retain as a result of transport challenges, Zeelo can help. Get in touch today to explore how a custom shared transport solution can work for your workforce.

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