Case Study: Ad-Hoc Branch Delivery to a Hybrid Master Vendor for Bentley

About The Client

Bentley Motors are a British designer, manufacturer and marketer of luxury cars and SUVs, creating vehicles with an unrivalled blend of performance and craftsmanship. Following their formation in 1919, they became renowned for their success in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. Today, the company have embraced sustainable innovations while maintaining their luxury heritage as a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group and premium Audi brand.

The Challenge

As one of the UK’s most respected luxury car manufacturers, Bentley needed an agile recruitment partner to scale to fluctuating recruitment needs.

Adecco have worked with Bentley Motors since 2009 when we originally assisted the business with ad-hoc worker placements for their UK vehicle manufacturing centre located in Crewe.

In 2011, Bentley challenged us to implement a master vendor solution to fulfil staffing needs at the facility. At the time, Bentley were looking to increase their car production output but did not possess a large enough flexible workforce to meet ongoing demands.

Due to the nature of the roles in question, Bentley also needed a supplier who could directly integrate with their on-site HR team to oversee unique general skills assessments prior to candidate selection.

Over time, our MSP relationship has evolved to cover a range of distinct challenges, including:

• Navigating agency worker charter changes in 2012.
• Implementing a team restructure to manage growth in 2013.
• Assisting with the launch of Bentley’s first SUV in 2015.
• COVID-19 response and support in 2020/21.
• Winning the contract to supply additional professional staffing in 2022.

Throughout our MSP relationship, Bentley needed a strategic partner who could manage and adapt to fluctuating contingent worker requirements, synonymous with the cyclical product lifecycle of automotive vehicles.

Our Solution

Adecco employ a Client Services Director (CSD) to work directly with Bentley. Due to the specific skills required to operate as a production operative at Bentley’s manufacturing centre, we maintain an on-site presence to manage candidate assessments and ongoing associate management.

This bespoke solution allows us to source candidates with the right aptitude and general skills suited to specific sections of the production line. Following in-depth training, we manage each associate’s employment throughout their assignment at Bentley.

We recently expanded our MSP service to supply non-production roles, including niche engineering and other professional positions. In winning this contract, we replaced an incumbent supplier who had been in place for over 20 years. For professional staffing, our centralised Adecco Career Centre manages attraction, compliance, and onboarding, ensuring maximum value from the MSP relationship by combining our UK-wide infrastructure through one point of contact.

As part of the new contract, we have implemented a vendor management system (VMS) to streamline recruitment and take advantage of technological efficiencies. Among other improvements, the system has improved our ability to manage worker documentation and offer advanced reporting.

Speaking about the overall strategic partnership, Lindsey Townsend, Client Services Director at Adecco, said, “Bentley have consistently challenged us to provide a truly flexible worker solution. Whether it’s for the launch of a new vehicle or temporarily downsizing the workforce, we remain agile and adaptable to ensure a best-in-class service with continuous improvement at its heart.”

Key Results

Thanks to our hybrid MSP solution, we continue to successfully manage Bentley’s variable recruitment needs.

• Implemented a master vendor solution in 2011, maintaining 950 workers at its peak.
• Grew the workforce by 300% to manage Bentley’s SUV launch in 2015, hiring over 600 workers.
• Launched expanded MSP in 2023, onboarding over 230 workers from the previous supplier.
• Implemented a VMS to enhance visibility, compliance and process efficiency.

Ensuring Adaptability, Flexibility and Agility with Adecco’s MSP Solution

Dealing with fluctuating worker requirements requires a HR team who can quickly mobilise and adapt to changing needs. At Adecco, we’re equipped to meet any contingent worker challenge, ensuring compliance, quality, cost savings, and access to the best talent.

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