During the recovery of corporate travel in 2021, the manufacturing sector placed in the top five industries that would contribute most to its comeback. Fast-forward to now and the industry still remains a significant player, with the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) predicting growth in the sector’s business travel spending and the industry being highlighted as a leader, alongside technology, in Asia’s return to business travel. 

What is the manufacturing industry?

The manufacturing industry primarily focuses on transforming raw materials into finished goods, usually on a large scale, using machinery, tools, and human labor. Some sub-sectors are also involved in repairing and installing industrial equipment. 

Why the manufacturing industry needs quality corporate housing

For employee wellbeing 

Manufacturing employees may be facing high demands, such as large delivery quotas and long working hours. It’s, therefore, essential for travel managers to ensure employees on the move have a place they can treat as a home base during a trip or relocation to help mitigate general distress and risks of burnout. 

Booking quality corporate housing gives business travelers a safe and comfortable environment where they can truly switch off after work. This can make a huge difference when it comes to employee wellbeing, as they’ll benefit from improved sleep and are better equipped to create a balanced work-life structure. 

To keep employees safe

It’s part of a company’s duty of care to keep employees safe while they’re traveling for business. That’s why it’s crucial to book through quality accommodation providers. Travel managers can ensure the properties they book are safe by using an online booking tool with an in-built GeoSafeScore . These scores rate a destination on a scale of 1 to 100 , where a higher score indicates a safer neighborhood and a lower score highlights less safe areas. 

Another benefit of using an online booking tool for business trips and relocations is that the housing supply is already pre-vetted, saving travel managers hours of research and verification, while also assuring them that the accommodation options comply with their policies. 

For talent retention 

According to Deloitte’s 2023 Manufacturing Industry Outlook, companies in the sector will be encouraging flexible work arrangements as part of their talent management strategy in the months ahead. The industry recently hit a record for the level of new hires, however, the difficult labor market keeps job openings at an all-time high with voluntary exits continuing to outnumber layoffs. This inevitably affects operational efficiency, so many companies are turning their attention to talent retention efforts in 2023 — 1 out of 3 company executives state retaining high-performing employees is a strategic priority in the year ahead. 

A couple ways in which manufacturing companies plan to strengthen talent retention is through pay increases, a DEI strategy (diversity, equity and inclusion), and through flexible work arrangements. The latter includes restructuring the workplace to incorporate the shifts work culture has experienced in recent years, such as remote and hybrid working. 

Since the manufacturing industry already accounts for 7% of all bleisure travelers, it seems workplace flexibility would be a welcome addition to the industry. Companies looking to incentivize employees in this way can rely on quality corporate housing providers, who offer a vast range of accommodation options suitable for any length of stay. Serviced apartments, for example, are a great choice for employees looking to extend their business trip for leisure activities, as they’re equipped with additional home-like facilities. 

Key takeaways 

• Booking business travelers comfortable housing can help to relieve stress and burnout, as it gives those working long hours a space to rest and treat as a home away from home. 
• Online booking tools with built-in GeoSafeScores™ can help travel managers adhere to company duty of care policies, by showcasing the safest locations for housing. 
• Quality corporate housing can support talent retention strategies for companies looking to incentivize employees with flexible working while on a business trip. 

3Sixty

At 3Sixty, the business travel industry’s most secure and intuitive accommodation platform, we offer over one million quality accommodation options around the world, including serviced apartments, short-term rentals, hotels, aparthotels and condos. 

Simplify the travel planning process and get employees involved in the planning of their trip with our online booking tool. We offer specialized, pre-vetted housing options suitable for any kind of business trip.