10 Years and Counting We started with the idea to build an agency that could be transformative and create a more professional, well-run, customer-centric business. We wanted to concentrate on developing relationships with our customers and associates, not just providing a service. We…

Is Yours Worth Catching? The past couple of years have taught us all a lot more than we ever wanted to know about contagions, the microscopic kind. But there is another definition of the word, meaning the spreading of…

Why You Should Consider Incorporating an Onsite Recruiter   Think about how you make use of a staffing agency. After laying out the requirements of the positions and what you expect, do you just call them up and tell them to send X…

How does Chicago’s minimum wage increase affect me in Lake, Cook, DuPage, or Will County? On 7/1/22 the minimum wage in Chicago will increase to $14.50 for companies with 20 or less employees and to…

When Being Exacting Isn’t Working For You We all are painfully aware that the labor market of 2019 is nothing like the market of 2022, especially in manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution. The landscape has changed drastically. But have your requirements when…

We are excited to announce that we are expanding our operations! Starting in May, The Xcel Group will be bringing its expertise to the greater Minneapolis-Saint Paul area. Since 2012, XCEL has provided staffing solutions for companies in Food Manufacturing and…

Have you thought about a walking meeting? We all know that walking 30 minutes or more a day is good for your health. But we may not be as clear as to why Walking Meetings are…

They all mean the same thing, right? Not exactly, but being tired or exhausted can lead to fatigue. And that can be dangerous in the workplace.  What are the definitions? Tired: in need of sleep or rest Exhausted…

Once again, we are looking at the top causes of injury in the Manufacturing workplace. And coming in at number 3, or 20% overall, is the combination of falls, slips, and trips. And the injury to your workers is costing you,…

Continuing our series for National Safety Month, we are now looking at the number 2 cause of injuries in Manufacturing. Overexertion and Repetitive Motion injuries accounted for 32% of recordable and costly injuries…