From Labor Gaps to Long-Term Growth: A Smarter Staffing Strategy for the Automotive Industry

Empty parking lot without employees

The U.S. automotive manufacturing sector is undergoing a rapid transformation. From the rise of electric vehicles to the expansion of production facilities across the South and Midwest, companies are experiencing unprecedented demand for skilled labor. Yet, this growth is challenged by high turnover, skill mismatches, and labor shortages—factors that threaten to stall production and drive up operational costs.

Enter Farmer Enterprises.

As the parent company of AW Labor Solutions and Farmer Law PC, Farmer Enterprises delivers an integrated approach to workforce solutions. AW Labor specializes in strategic staffing and rapid domestic deployment, while Farmer Law PC brings deep expertise in immigration-based workforce planning. Together, they provide a seamless model that ensures compliance, scalability, and continuity—equipping manufacturers with the labor force they need to thrive in a fast-changing industry.

Industry Challenge: Filling the Labor Gap

Across the automotive sector, manufacturers are grappling with a 40% industry-wide turnover rate. Even when 80% or more of new hires come from local communities, the constant need to recruit and train creates a strain on both HR teams and production schedules. Compounding the problem is a mismatch between available skills and job requirements, alongside an aging workforce.

Employers are also navigating heightened scrutiny around immigration compliance. Missteps can lead to lawsuits, fines, and brand damage.

Compliance-Driven Workforce Strategy

Farmer Enterprises  offers a suite of workforce solutions tailored to the evolving needs of automotive manufacturers. Our approach is compliance-first, scalable, and flexible across production phases.

Domestic Labor Deployment

We maintain a national pool of pre-screened workers already authorized to work in the U.S. These candidates can be placed quickly and efficiently, minimizing downtime and eliminating seasonal employment restrictions.

Visa Programs for Strategic Workforce Planning

Visa programs like TN, H‑2B, H‑1B, and EB‑3 are designed to address workforce shortages by creating legal, sustainable pipelines for foreign‑born talent. H‑2B and EB‑3 support skilled and unskilled labor roles often needed on the production floor, while TN visas offer quick access to specialized talent from Mexico and Canada. The H‑1B program, in particular, plays a critical role in filling technical positions—such as engineers, software developers, and automation specialists—that are increasingly essential as automotive manufacturing becomes more advanced and digitized.

  • TN Visa: Ideal for engineers, technicians, and logistics professionals from Mexico and Canada.
  • H‑2B & H‑2A: Support seasonal or temporary roles like materials handling and plant maintenance.
  • EB‑3U: Grants permanent residency for unskilled or skilled roles such as line operators.
  • H‑1B: Fills specialized technical roles – from robotics programmers and QA analysts to electrical engineers and IT system specialists.
Why Partner with Farmer Enterprises?

Navigating labor shortages and complex immigration rules requires more than just a quick fix—it demands a strategic partner. Farmer Enterprises brings together the legal precision of Farmer Law PC and the operational strength of AW Labor Solutions to deliver end-to-end workforce solutions. Our integrated model ensures your labor strategy is not only effective, but also compliant, scalable, and future-proof.

  • Integrated Legal & Recruitment Services: From sourcing to visa management and onboarding, we handle every step in-house.
  • Compliance at the Core: Avoid fines, audits, and brand damage through our meticulous attention to immigration and labor law.
  • Skilled Talent Sourcing: Access to high-quality candidates from the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, as well as broader international sources.
  • Strategic Partnerships: Relationships with vocational schools and universities in key labor-sending countries help us develop a pipeline of skilled workers tailored to automotive manufacturing.

Let’s Drive Your Workforce Forward

Whether you’re launching a new facility, scaling up production, or preparing for the next wave of innovation, your workforce strategy needs to be just as future-ready as your manufacturing line.

Contact us today to learn more about how we help automotive companies with their staffing challenges.