How Manufacturers Are Adapting Labor Strategies in 2025
Short-term labor is redefining what it means to be “Made in America”–a strategic necessity amid workforce gaps and manufacturing strain
2025 is shaping up to be a defining year for U.S.-based manufacturers, with companies forced to reassess operational risk in real time due to intensifying trade disputes, shifting tariffs, and policy uncertainty. For firms already operating domestically, the challenge isn’t reshoring—it’s scaling without breaking the system. This AFIMAC perspective shares findings from an exclusive survey of 128 manufacturing executives, revealing how labor strategies are adapting to meet ongoing workforce instability.
Despite increased automation, a widening labor gap—projected to hit 3.8 million unfilled roles—means manufacturers still rely heavily on people. Short-term labor is no longer a reactive measure; it’s a strategic lever. Companies are turning to flexible staffing models to navigate demand surges, labor shortages, and time-sensitive opportunities. Notably, 83% of companies hiring specialized labor now view it as extremely or very important to strategy.
As traditional hiring models erode, Critical Situation Travel Labor (CSTL) offers a solution: rapid-deployment labor crews that provide both flexibility and skill match during moments of disruption. With most manufacturers expecting increased need for temp labor over the next 1–2 years, short-term labor is becoming a core component of modern manufacturing resilience.
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