Background
Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) is a global security technology company with production facilities across North America—including a key Midwest manufacturing hub—that operates at the intersection of high-tech manufacturing and critical security services.
To stay competitive in a fast-moving, highly regulated industry, G+D needs to stay agile. That means adjusting production quickly to meet global demand, while also navigating market volatility and shifting regulations.
Their ability to adapt quickly without compromising quality is central to their long-term success.
Problem
In 2024, G+D faced a sudden shift in operations. Work was moved from their Ohio facility to an underutilized Illinois plant as part of a strategic load-balancing effort.
To align with the reduced volume, the company laid off multiple shifts. Specifically, weekend crews and third shift workers in card finishing and personalization.
Then came the curveball: news of potential tariffs hit just a week later, creating uncertainty around the cost of materials and production capacity. While demand spiked in anticipation, the company wasn’t able to secure internal approval for full-time headcount.
The result? They needed to ramp up fast, but with no ability to hire—and a workforce already rattled by layoffs.
Some employees declined to return due to job security concerns, and internal morale was shaky at best.
Solution
Enter: the “Tariff Team.”
G+D partnered with industrial and manufacturing staffing agency, Alliance Industrial Solutions, to build a flexible workforce model that could scale with demand—but without the red tape of direct hiring.
We placed 10–12 long-term temporary employees to support the anticipated tariff workload. While some were returning employees, most were assigned to new departments and cross-trained for different responsibilities.
Because the facility is high-security, each candidate had to pass strict background and employment history checks, adding complexity to onboarding. To meet these requirements, AIS maintained a steady pipeline of pre-vetted candidates, ready to fill roles as soon as weekly onboarding windows opened.
This staffing strategy gave the company what they needed most: speed, flexibility, and peace of mind without the financial risk of permanent hires.
If the work did eventually become permanent, G+D had the option to convert employees. If not, we handled unemployment and administrative offboarding.
Results + Impact
- Staffed 10–12 high-security roles with background-vetted talent
- Supported rapid operational shifts with zero headcount risk
- Reintegrated skilled workers and cross-trained new ones
- Stabilized production without adding permanent overhead
- Boosted agility during a time of internal uncertainty
The flexibility of the Tariff Team has become a model for managing future volatility, allowing our client to respond to real-time market needs without the burden of unnecessary overhead.
The company now views flexible staffing with Alliance Industrial Solutions as a long-term strategy, not just a short-term fix. In uncertain times, they’ve found a partner that helps them stay ready for anything.
Scale Fast. Reduce Risk. Stay Ready.
Tariffs? Layoffs? Headcount freezes? G+D didn’t flinch. They built a flexible team that scaled fast, cost less, and delivered when it mattered most.
With the right staffing partner, you don’t just react to change—you’re ready for it.
Contact us and let’s talk about how flexible staffing can support your team.
