
Expion is an award-winning Recruitment Company specialising in recruiting top talent for the Food & FMCG, Pharmaceutical & Medical Devices, Engineered Products and Automotive, Distribution & Logistics Sectors.
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We work with organisations from start-ups to global giants. We have a loyal community of talent. Making sure we operate to ensure clients and candidates have the best experience with us is at the heart of what we do.

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Client The Component Conundrum
The Component ConundrumIt’s fair to say, these are challenging times. That’s not to say that things haven’t been tough before, but as the world battles climate change, rising living costs, and war, things are uncertain and unsettling for many businesses and those working in them.The component shortage has hit the commercial vehicles industry hard, and for an industry already struggling with a micro-chip shortage, the impact of the war in Ukraine has further tightened the noose on businesses running and maintaining commercial vehicles. OEM’s are reliant on suppliers for components and raw materials such as aluminium steel and palladium from Ukraine and Russia, and even those businesses still operating in Ukraine, have erratic supply. Business leaders take actionAccording to an article in BDO, business leaders should be continually monitoring supply, strengthing their cash position and be mindful of labour supply and those affected by the war. A lack of spares and hire vehicles has meant that many businesses have had to rely even more on their labour to troubleshoot and engineer their way through vehicle availability than ever before.According to CommercialMotor, HGV registrations continue to decline in registrations. The industry is struggling to recover from the pandemic due to component and raw material shortages and is still 17.1% below the same period in 2019. Whilst the figures aren’t all doom and gloom, SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes states ‘Despite the market’s post-pandemic recovery continuing to be frustrated by supply chain shortages and disruptions, HGV operators considering their next fleet investments are encouraged to move early to secure the new vehicles that will meet their business needs’.Labour supplyThe same can also be said of the demand for skilled labour. The shortage of people qualified to carry out skilled work is well publicised. In a recent report by the REC and KMPG, engineering is the second-highest job category carrying vacancies (second only to Hotel & Catering), experiencing a significant jump from the same period in 2021. Its also important to consider that vacancies aren’t just high in permanent recruitment, shortages also exist in the temporary workforce which often supports gaps in short- and long-term staff availability.Navigating this can be a minefield, and often takes a clearly thought through recruitment strategy to support a sustainable and motivated workforce. We’d love to help you.
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Candidate Automotive Industry Statistics
We all love statistics...who doesn't?It's all in the data. Big data drives our world and the Automotive Industry is no different. Worth £60bn to the UK economy, we're operating in a fast-paced sector with investment aplenty. Whilst there have been mutterings that the UK Government should be doing more to support the industry, demand for vehicles is high and growing. So why do these stats matter?We need to watch carefullyThe ongoing challenges of climate change, coupled with component shortages mean that pressure is at an all time high for business leaders. With plants in Europe grinding to a halt, these figures will no doubt come to play out in many years to come as globally, much will be debated about the impact of the war, and rise or fall in demand, output and revenues.British madeAnd as a big global exporter, vehicles and parts made here in the UK are exported to over 140 different countries. Even more reason to keep our finger on the pulse of what's happening out there.https://www.smmt.co.uk/industry-topics/uk-automotive/
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Candidate More Jobs than People?
More jobs than people?Not strictly speaking, however this week, according to the BBC and ONS, it was reported that there were more job vacancies, than there were those seeking a role. Does logic, therefore, suggest that if you want a job there’s one for you?Of course not, and we know that. Operating in our markets, Manufacturing and Automotive, it’s about more than a bum on a seat, our clients have specific requirements and skills they require to remain competitive, efficient and growing. So the skills shortage hasn’t evaporated overnight!There are some encouraging trends. People who have been inactive economically, aged between 16 and 64, are moving into work, and job to job moves have been driven by people resigning from a role, rather than being dismissed or made redundant.However, as we see a rise in inflation, now at 9% (18th May 2022), here at Expion, we see more people than ever before citing an increased salary as a reason to move role. Whilst most people say ‘money isn’t everything’ (and it isn’t), it is becoming more understandable as a justifiable reason for people to seek a new role. We reported in our Market Report in April, 59% of workers said a pay rise is essential to them. If it’s not on offer where they are, it’s a compelling reason to look for a role.And whilst flexible working offers the opportunity for some people to manage commuting costs, it will be interesting to see whether there’s a growth in people’s interest in returning more to the office when fuel costs rise again in October. Shivering on a Teams call is likely to become increasingly unpopular when a fully heated office is available!So when there are more jobs than people, what else can employers do?Benefits can be a big draw. We’re seeing employers offering increased benefits packages, bonuses (including sign-on bonuses), and support for those wishing to gain qualifications. Wellness benefits are also on the rise. 24% of employers in our report said they were offering financial support through information, advice, and online resources, and 13% said they were offering actual financial support to workers.Not all of this is forecast to last. With inflation tipped to hit 10%, and industry stating that prices are continuing to rise, economists have once again mentioned the word ‘recession’. If history is to be repeated, this will mean job losses and a rising unemployment rate.So what does this mean for recruitment? We know that recruitment tends to be one of the first industries to be hit when there’s economic uncertainty, and one of the first to recover. It’s fair to say this has certainly played out over the last 2 years. There’s no sign yet of any slowdown, however, the market is unusually overheated at the moment so any initial slowdown is likely to be more a return to normal rather than alarm bells. But in the meantime, what a market to be in. And this is a market that suits all ‘gens’. From Gen X who are mid-career and want a work-life balance and stability before… (well you know) to tech-savvy millennials in Gen Y, and Gen Z who are much more likely to move roles after a shorter period of time. There are opportunities out there for everyone at the moment, so make the most of them!For more information on how we can support you, get in touch with us via this website, or even give us a call!
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