Perryville businesses utilize workforce solution app, an 'Uber' for manufacturing

"Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match." — "Fiddler on the Roof"

A new phone app called Veryable is being used by Perryville, Missouri, firms Gilster-Mary Lee and TG Missouri to help fill gaps in the labor pool by matching employers and skilled workers.

"Gilster-Mary Lee was the first manufacturer in Southeast Missouri to take advantage, and now we have TG Missouri on board as well," said Crystal Jones, executive director of Perry County Regional Development Authority. "This innovative approach has helped keep our manufacturers in Perryville fully staffed and eliminate backlogs in the processes."

NewsNation describes the process of using the Dallas-based app, available on Google Play or Apple Play.

"After signing up (for the app) and with the click of a button, workers can land temporary work at a factory based on their skill sets."

Jared Wehde, Veryable's general manager for the greater St. Louis region, told the Southeast Missourian the labor landscape has changed, especially post-COVID-19.

"What we're seeing as a trend all across the country is more and more folks are seeking flexible work. We have a bunch of stats we put together, but one that's really interesting is, if you look on the (U.S.) Bureau of Labor Statistics website and look at the workforce participation rate, the last (number) I saw was around 62% or 63%. What that tells us is almost four of 10 U.S. workers are not taking part in the workforce. So many of them require flexibility in order to participate in the economy. We're actually seeing a labor surplus in the 30 cities Veryable is in. There's a lot of labor out there but manufacturing distribution businesses have to innovate and figure out how to respond to workforce trends, which changed rapidly the after COVID lockdowns," said Wehde, a product of Winfield School District in Lincoln County, Missouri.

"Veryable is tapping into a sector of our workforce that's largely been untapped by manufacturing and distribution logistics industries. I think that's why it's worked so well in Perryville," Jones said. "Our manufacturers were cannibalizing workers from one another, so Veryable has helped identify workers who are out there. (Veryable) has been really, really great for us."

Wehde said Veryable would like to sign up employers in Cape Girardeau County, and there appears to be some interest.

"I do think it is an interesting concept and as all businesses continue to struggle with staffing, that thinking differently when possible could assist in the challenges we are facing today," said Kristen Daniel, human resources manager at Havco Wood Products in Cape Girardeau, who witnessed a Veryable presentation.

"As our local workforce limitations continue to limit growth opportunities in the region, Veryable looks like another tool area manufacturers could explore to held ease some staffing issues," added Rob Gilligan, president/CEO, Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce.

Description

(Veryable) is an on-demand marketplace for manufacturing warehouse labor, and it's two-sided. On one side are the potential workers, whom we call 'operators' because they don't work for Veryable or for the company. They're 1099 independent contractors. On the other side are the businesses who connect with one another through the app. They're connecting on what is basically a daily basis with just a day or two advance notice. Some people are calling Veryable 'Uber' for manufacturing. It all revolves around a platform that works well for both sides of the employment equation," Wehde said.

Process

"It a mostly automated arrangement via the app that puts the operators through a full background check, When they pass the check, they upload their profiles so that all the businesses who signed up with us can see their work history and the operators are rated on a five-point scale allowing them to build up their own brand and reputation on our platform," Wehde added.

Of note

Jones said Perryville's city administrator, Brent Buerck, heard about Veryable during a conference in Kansas City.

"(Brent) brought this idea back and since we're very manufacturing-heavy in Perry County with over 30% of our workforce in that sector, we took the idea directly to Tom Welge, president at Gilster. Tom is very willing to try new things and tries to be innovative in his business, and Tom just took it and ran with it," Jones said.

Wehde said those who want more information about Veryable should email the following link: sl-1@veryableops.com.

Company website address is www.veryableops.com.

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