Lean Staffing

About Lean Staffing

Lean Solutions Group, from its inception as Lean Staffing Solutions in 2012, has been engineered to address operational inefficiencies within the U.S. transportation and logistics industry. The company was co-founded by Robert Cadena, whose direct experience in logistics shaped the firm's core business model. Born in Colombia, Cadena's journey began with hands-on roles in the supply chain sector in the U.S., including operating forklifts and handling clerical freight work, which provided him with a ground-level understanding of the industry's operational gaps. He later founded his own transportation brokerage, Chain Express, in 2001. It was during his time running this brokerage that he faced significant challenges in hiring and retaining skilled labor in the U.S., leading him to tap into the talent pool of his home country, a move that proved successful and became the blueprint for Lean Solutions Group.

The company functions as a nearshore and offshore services provider, enabling U.S.-based companies to establish satellite offices in countries like Colombia, Guatemala, and the Philippines. This model is designed to offer clients a co-managed, scalable workforce that integrates with their existing operations and culture, while providing significant cost reductions of up to 50%. The business generates revenue by providing comprehensive workforce solutions that encompass operations, technology, marketing, sales, and business process outsourcing (BPO). Clients are guided through the entire process, from identifying positions to fill to selecting and training employees who then function as an extension of the client's team.

Lean Solutions Group's service portfolio is diversified beyond staffing for back-office roles. The company offers specialized services through divisions like Lean Tech, Lean Sales, and Lean Marketing, addressing a wider range of client needs from IT development to sales and marketing support. This expansion prompted the rebranding from Lean Staffing Solutions to Lean Solutions Group in 2021 to better reflect its comprehensive suite of services. The firm primarily serves the transportation and logistics sector but has since expanded its expertise to other industries including retail, manufacturing, healthcare, and hospitality. A key milestone for the company was securing a $42.5 million growth equity investment from FTV Capital in 2020, which has supported its continued expansion. The company has demonstrated substantial growth, now employing over 9,000 people and serving more than 500 U.S.-based companies.