UBCNews - Business - Texas Warehouse Staffing: Meeting Automation Demand in 2026

Episode Date: March 21, 2026

Texas has become one of the most active logistics markets in the country. Distribution centers are growing. E-commerce keeps demand high. And nearshoring is bringing even more supply chain activity into the state. But hiring the right warehouse workers in twenty twenty-six is a different challenge than it was just a few years ago. Here is the shift: automation has not cut warehouse jobs in Texas — it has changed what those jobs require. Employers are now looking for workers who can operate alongside robotic systems, pick up warehouse management software quickly, and adapt to workflows that update faster than ever. Forklift certification and OSHA safety training have gone from nice-to-have to non-negotiable. For leads and supervisors, data literacy is becoming a baseline skill, not a bonus. High turnover makes this harder. It is tough to build an automation-ready team when a significant portion of your workforce turns over every year. The employers building the most stable operations are the ones thinking beyond fill speed. They are screening for long-term fit, using temp-to-hire pathways strategically, and working with staffing partners who keep active talent pipelines running between peaks. Seasonal demand adds another layer. Texas warehouses supporting retail, e-commerce, and energy clients can see major volume swings across the year. Reactive hiring at peak season in a tight labor market rarely works out. The operations with the most flexibility built their pipelines before they needed them. Burnett Specialists has been placing warehouse and supply chain workers across Texas for over fifty years. As the state's largest employee-owned staffing firm, Burnett's team brings pre-screened, safety-certified candidates to employers in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, and The Woodlands — with the flexibility to scale when demand hits. If your warehouse operation is hiring in twenty twenty-six, visit burnettspecialists dot com to get started. Burnett Specialists City: Houston Address: 9800 Richmond Ave, Ste 800 Website: https://burnettspecialists.com Phone: [phone] Email: [e-mail]

Texas has become one of the most active logistics markets in the country. Distribution centers are growing. E-commerce keeps demand high, and nearshoring is bringing even more supply chain activity into the state. But hiring the right warehouse workers in 2026 is a different challenge than it was just a few years ago. Here is the shift. Automation has not cut warehouse jobs in Texas. It has changed what those jobs require. Employers are now looking for workers who can operate.

alongside robotic systems, pick up warehouse management software quickly, and adapt to workflows that update faster than ever. Forklift certification and OSHA safety training have gone from nice to have to non-negotiable. For leads and supervisors, data literacy is becoming a baseline skill, not a bonus. High turnover makes this harder. It is tough to build an automation-ready team when a significant portion of your workforce turns over every year. The employers building the most stable operations are the ones thinking beyond fill speed. They are screening for long-term fit,

using temp to hire pathways strategically, and working with staffing partners who keep active talent pipelines running between peaks. Seasonal demand adds another layer. Texas warehouses supporting retail, e-commerce, and energy clients can see major volume swings across the year. Reactive hiring at peak season in a tight labor market rarely works out. The operations with the most flexibility built their pipelines before they needed them.

Burnett's specialists has been placing warehouse and supply chain workers across Texas for over 50 years. As the state's largest employee-owned staffing firm, Burnett's team brings pre-screened safety-certified candidates to employers in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, and the woodlands with the flexibility to scale when demand hits. If your warehouse operation is hiring in 26, visit burnet specialists.com to get started.