Case Study: Sourcing Permanent Engineering Expertise for a European Automation Provider’s UK Expansion
See how Adecco’s consultative approach and UK market insight helped a European engineering firm recruit a new maintenance team and achieve a successful market entry.
About The Client
Our client are an engineering company that provides warehouse automation solutions to assist logistic operations. Their system has transformed processes for leading brands worldwide, and they have achieved consistent global expansion since being founded in mainland Europe over a decade ago.
The Challenge
Adecco has previously worked with the client to provide flexible and permanent placements in mainland Europe.
In 2021, our client opened a new facility in the East Midlands. Being unfamiliar with the UK engineering market, they decided to employ our expertise, recognising the previous outsourcing success of the Adecco Engineering team.
The client wanted to set up a maintenance function to directly support their UK clients. Critical to this would be our ability to source skilled candidates and provide the necessary systems, in-house resources, and expertise to support the project.
The client required 5 x Engineers and 1 x Maintenance Manager to be supplied within agreed timelines to support the facility’s opening.
Our Solution
Adecco conducted initial briefing calls to understand the client's business, including internal processes and their legal foothold within the UK. Following this, we agreed to implement a permanent recruitment solution to find and qualify suitable candidates before submitting details to the client.
Adecco adopted a consultative approach to the relationship, not only sourcing qualified candidates but also educating the client on the complexities of UK labour regulations, legislation and compliance.
We maintained this approach throughout the process by conducting regular discussions to sustain progress and to keep the client informed.
Key to the success of our partnership was the ability of our UK recruitment teams to build mutually beneficial relationships remotely and across international boundaries.
Our account team worked efficiently to source the best candidates to fill the roles within the required timeframe. As part of our service, we conducted pre-screen interviews with potential candidates to discuss their experience before presenting CVs to the client. These candidates then participated in a two-stage interview process directly with the client.
Before commencing their new roles, successful candidates also attended a training session in Europe to learn the client’s company culture and to receive specialist instruction on operating the client’s equipment.
Ultimately, we were able to supply all required roles within the timeframe. Our streamlined approach to recruitment consistently reduced cost, hassle, complexity, and risk for the client.
The client now deals exclusively with Adecco Engineering and recently partnered with us for the second phase of their UK expansion. This is a testament to the relationship's success and represents a continued commitment to the client’s future staffing requirements.
“The client were an amazing company to work alongside as they really took onboard our advice regarding the UK markets. They were very responsive and gave fast feedback for us to relay to candidates.”
— Claire Scott, Adecco Recruitment Consultant (Engineering and Manufacturing)
Key Results
- Successfully placed 1 x Maintenance Manager and 5 x Engineers within the required timeframe.
- Consulted and supported the client through their first expansion into the UK market.
- Adecco are supporting the client with an additional facility opening in 2024.
Manage Your Recruitment Needs with Adecco
At Adecco, we have over 20 years of experience helping clients manage their flexible and permanent recruitment needs across engineering and similar industries, including recruiting for skilled and in-demand candidates.
We are ready for any challenge, with the proven ability to scale up and down and change course as needed.