The Challenge

Wise Employment had successfully supplied temporary machine workers to this Company for four years, when we were asked to tender for providing an outsourced solution to their hand packing operation.

Previously the Client had been using a packaging company to pack their products off-site. However, this solution was not ideally suited to their specific needs and they required:

- Greater flexibility to meet the changing priorities of the fast moving, high fashion, retail needs of the music industry
- Improved staff retention
- A higher level of control over a process, which was critical for meeting productivity
- More focus on security

The Wise Solution

Wise Employment’s first step was to carry out a detailed work study of the function, in order to design and propose a solution which would better satisfy the need for greater control and flexibility; whilst still enabling them to concentrate on their core business, by accepting full responsibility and accountability for the results and outcomes of the hand packing function.

Our proposal included:

- Formation of an experienced Contract Management Team, who would work closely with EMI to ensure the achievement of agreed performance and quality standards, to ensure the smooth operation of the function.
- Recommendation of a 24-hour operation to offer maximum flexibility and capability to respond to emergency deadlines.
- Appointment of experienced Shift Supervisors to be accountable for the manpower planning, staff and task management in order to produce the desired results to critical deadlines.
- Development of Senior Wise Temporaries to provide ongoing training and coaching support for new starters and to cover absence
- Design of customised staff selection and evaluation procedures for implementation by designated Consultants at the local Wise Employment branch.
- Full training of all Wise Employment staff involved in providing the service.
- Development of working processes and standards to encompass all elements of the task including: assembly, packing, shrink wrapping, palletising and transfer of goods to the warehouse.
- Introduction of a quality control process, at each stage of the operation, to include; materials, compact discs, artwork, printing, inserts and shrink wrapping
- Design and delivery of a tailor made training programme for all temporary staff engaged on the Contract.
- Obtained retention statistics and introduced loyalty bonus scheme based on performance and attendance during peak trading times
- Introduction of streamlined communication and invoicing procedures
- Regular joint business planning and performance review meetings, to facilitate staff planning and continuous quality improvement.

The Outcome

- Work was immediately re-scheduled to provide instant response to changing market demands for increased productivity or enhanced packaging for specific lines.
- Wise Employment’s temporary workforce and 24-hour shift pattern provided the ultimate flexibility to meet critical deadlines in a cost effective manner.
- A highly productive workforce who through job training could rotate between jobs thus maximising productivity
- Reduced levels of retention across all shifts through effective training. Communication and bonus incentives
- Carefully controlled referencing and security procedures became an integral part of selection and management processes.