Peak performance starts long before peak demand


As we head towards Autumn, conversations will soon turn towards Christmas and when businesses prepare for the festivities and periods of peak demand, the focus is often on stock, staffing and supply chains. 

But sometimes, one area is frequently overlooked: whether facilities have the capacity to support increased operational activity. 

From additional welfare space and office accommodation to canteen and changing facilities, ensuring your workplace can scale alongside your workforce helps maintain productivity, supports employee wellbeing and keeps operations running smoothly. 

So, it comes as no surprise that the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) recognise workplace and facilities management as a key enabler of business performance, with The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) highlighting the importance of providing suitable welfare facilities as organisations expand and grow, especially during peak periods. 

 

The importance of welfare and healthy workspaces during the festivities  


It is likely that some organisations will increase headcount during busy periods.  Leading Irish retailers recognise that peak trading doesn't begin when customers arrive. Musgrave, the company behind SuperValu and Centra, describes Christmas as one of the busiest periods of the year, with significant preparation taking place behind the scenes to support increased demand. From procurement and logistics to operations and facilities, successful Christmas trading depends on ensuring the right people, stock and infrastructure are in place well before the festive season begins. 

Whilst employee headcount increases, welfare provisions should be reviewed alongside operational capacity. The HSA highlights that employers must ensure suitable welfare facilities, including rest areas, toilets and eating facilities, are readily available for their workforce. 

And it’s not just physical wellbeing that must be considered. Supporting employee’s mental health and wellbeing is also crucial.  With operational pressures increasing during peak periods, supporting employee wellbeing becomes particularly important. According to University College Cork's Healthy Workplace Ireland research, mental health issues cost the Irish economy approximately €11 billion each year, with the business impacts felt through absenteeism, presenteeism and reduced productivity. This highlights the importance of creating workplaces that support employee wellbeing, particularly during periods of increased operational demand. 

  1. So, what does this mean for your facilities team? 


    The research shows that peak periods are rarely a surprise. Businesses can forecast increased demand, plan recruitment and anticipate higher stock levels well in advance. The challenge that your organisation may have, is making sure that your facility is able to keep up pace and have the capacity to support the increased activity. 

    From ensuring there is enough welfare provision for a larger workforce, to creating additional space for teams maintaining business continuity, taking a proactive approach early can help reduce operational risk and keep people and processes moving when demand is at its highest. 

With that in mind, here are five things that facilities should consider when preparing for periods of peak demand: 

1. Supply chain readiness 

Peak season demand can put pressures on supply chains long before customer orders increase. Getting ahead of potential shortages and delivery delays can help your business maintain production and avoid any unnecessary disruption when demand is at its highest. 

  • Confirm availability of raw materials well in advance 
  • Communicate proactively with suppliers to avoid last-minute disruptions 
  • Build buffer stock where possible – especially for high-demand SKUs 
  • Diversify suppliers or source locally to reduce shipping risk / delays

 

2. Production scheduling and flexibility 

When demand increases, production needs to be able to respond without comprising efficiency or quality. Unnecessary pressures can be avoided by building flexibility into schedules, allowing sufficient response times if unexpected peaks occur. 

  • Optimise production runs for efficiency and reduced changeover times 
  • Consider extending shifts, adding temporary labour or running overtime 
  • Build contingency capacity for urgent or unexpected orders 
  • Implement a freeze or cut-off date for non-critical orders

 

3. Workforce planning and morale 

Additional demand can often mean additional people, longer shifts or changes to working patterns. Planning the workforce early and ensuring your employees have the right and support and facilities they need, can help maintain both productivity and morale. 

  • Plan staff shifts and communicate them early 
  • Consider offering incentives, rewards or flexible holiday scheduling to support morale 
  • Train temporary or seasonal workers in advance to maintain quality and consistency 
  • Promote safety and ensure higher output does not lead to higher risk

 

4. Inventory and warehouse management 

As stock levels and order volumes increase, small inefficiencies can quickly become bigger operational bottlenecks. Reviewing how your inventory is organised and how goods move through the warehouse, can help maintain a smooth flow during those peak seasonal periods. 

  • Audit inventory to ensure real-time accuracy 
  • Organise warehouse layouts to speed up picking and packing 
  • Implement FIFO or FEFO strategies to manage shelf life and returns 
  • Consider staging areas to support faster dispatch during peak weeks

 

5. Logistics and shipping coordination 

The final stages of the operation can come under significant pressure during peak festive periods, especially when transport capacity is limited. Coordinating logistics early can help your business avoid delays, manage customer expectations and maintain continuity. 

  • Book transport and logistics partners well in advance 
  • Understand carrier cut-off dates and potential delivery constraints 
  • Offer earlier shipping to B2B customers to reduce congestion 
  • Explore third-party logistics (3PL) providers where additional capacity is needed

 

Getting Christmas right isn’t just about meeting deadlines, it’s about protecting your reputation, keeping your teams motivated, and seizing the seasonal surge in demand. Facilities that plan early will find themselves ahead of the curve, while those that wait risk supply disruptions, production bottlenecks, and missed opportunities. Start preparing now, and you’ll turn the festive rush into a competitive advantage. 

Portakabin provides risk-free, ready-to-hire spaces that act as an operational buffer for your business - find out how we can help.

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