As the war for talent intensifies across logistics, supply chain, and industrial sectors, Hueman People Solutions is doubling down on scale and specialization. The national RPO provider announced today it has acquired Empower Partnerships, a high-performing HR and recruitment consulting firm known for its deep expertise in complex, high-volume hiring environments.
The move isn’t just a growth play—it’s a strategic reshuffle that positions Hueman to dominate in commercial recruitment. With the acquisition, Hueman is launching Hueman RPO Commercial, a new division powered by Empower’s embedded delivery model and sector-specific knowledge.
Together, the companies now boast over 80,000 hires annually, with more than 30,000 hires in logistics and transportation alone.
A Play for Scale, Specialization, and Embedded Delivery
Founded in 2018 by MaryAnne Garcia, Empower Partnerships carved out a niche by delivering scalable recruitment solutions for companies with operational complexity—think 24/7 logistics hubs, high-turnover warehouse roles, and multi-site manufacturing. Its approach goes beyond transactional hiring, embedding recruiters directly within client teams and aligning tightly with culture and process.
“Empower doesn’t feel like an external vendor,” said Bill Boutwell, CEO of Hueman. “They integrate so tightly with their clients, it reflects exactly what we stand for: delivering people solutions with heart, culture alignment, and real operational impact.”
That philosophy—recruitment as partnership, not outsourcing—has been Hueman’s brand promise from the beginning. And Empower fits neatly into that mold.
The deal also adds depth to Hueman’s high-volume hiring playbook. As industries like transportation and manufacturing face mounting workforce shortages and sky-high attrition, the demand for RPO partners who can deliver both speed and cultural fit is rising sharply.
A Timely Bet on Commercial and Industrial Sectors
Hueman has been on a quiet acquisition streak. In 2024, it expanded into life sciences with its purchase of PrincetonOne. This latest move fills another strategic gap—commercial industries with unique operational pressures and large-scale workforce demands.
“After life sciences, we looked at where the next hiring bottlenecks were emerging,” said Joe Marino, Hueman’s Chief Growth Officer. “Transportation, logistics, and manufacturing were top of that list. Empower already has a proven model in these spaces—and a team that knows how to deliver at scale without sacrificing experience or quality.”
It’s a smart read on market dynamics. Industries like e-commerce, last-mile delivery, and cold chain logistics are booming—but they’re also plagued by persistent staffing shortages. Meanwhile, regulatory scrutiny around hiring practices and workforce compliance is tightening, making expert-led RPO more essential than ever.
What Happens Next
Empower will retain its brand identity for now, operating semi-independently as it transitions under the Hueman RPO Commercial umbrella. Both MaryAnne Garcia and Sarina Ryczek, Empower’s Co-Managing Partners, will stay in leadership roles and continue overseeing the day-to-day.
For clients, that continuity matters. Empower’s reputation has been built on trust, responsiveness, and tailored service—something Garcia is keen to preserve.
“We built Empower on relationships and real results,” Garcia said. “Hueman gives us the resources to scale that without losing our soul.”
This marks yet another example of RPO firms consolidating in response to a tighter labor market and client demand for true partnership over plug-and-play solutions. While larger players like ManpowerGroup, Korn Ferry, and Randstad Sourceright dominate the enterprise end, firms like Hueman are carving out mid-market and specialized niches—offering flexible, consultative service with fewer layers and more speed.
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