MAIN FEATURE
The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown restrictions have had a huge impact on the construction sector. Due to a significant decrease in activity in 2020, the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) introduced its Roadmap to Recovery. This looks to boost construction activity, delivering value and better infrastructure and buildings in three phases: restart, reset and reinvent. A key element of the second phase is to drive demand, increase productivity and strengthen the supply chain. It is here that merchant partners can really play a significant and positive role.
Now almost a year into the pandemic, there are some signs of recovery with construction output expected to rise 14% in 2021, according to a report by the Construction Products Association. It is also predicted that infrastructure output will rise by 32.1% this year following a large increase in investment as part of Britain’s first national infrastructure strategy. The Government will spend a total of £600 billion over the next four years in an effort to generate new jobs and support other construction projects, such as new housing developments, as well as the upgrade of roads, railways and broadband networks.
To ensure that projects like these are delivered effectively, and progress continues in line with the CLC Roadmap to Recovery, it is vital that there is a collaborative supply chain and project partners are engaged as early as possible. When it comes to merchants, this would allow the wider project team to draw
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upon specialist expertise at a point where it can have maximum impact and value.
Generally, merchants are brought onto a project through the invitation to tender. Only then can they start to support the process of highlighting and delivering the benefits of an overarching supply chain framework. By involving merchants from the target cost stage of a project instead, it would enable them to work with the main contractor and designers to help make sound and well-informed product specification decisions from the outset. The aim is to add value, without ever compromising on quality or performance. Advice is tailored to each individual project and recommendations can both improve the overall quality of a project as well as save clients time and money.
To support efficiency and productivity, contractors and merchants must then work closely to ensure high quality products and materials are supplied and delivered to site when needed, to keep projects running to schedule. Merchants can also reduce the complexity when it comes to product availability, scheduling and deliveries, utilising their position in the supply chain and close relationships.
For example, Keyline’s team will speak to the manufacturers directly to establish the lead time of each product and use this information to make recommendations on which products should be ordered ahead. In doing so,it helps to ensure that sufficient quantities are available on site when needed. This keeps
| March 2021 |
www.draintraderltd.com
projects on track and ensures efficiency at every turn. With a single source of supply, it also helps to reduce the number of deliveries and vehicles accessing the site, which improves efficiency and safety. The time is also reduced that staff require to manage orders and the subsequent cost to contractors.
Strong customer and merchant relationships are key to minimising disruption to a project. Regular site visits should be made to evaluate what is working well and identify areas for improvement, refine delivery schedules and improve lead times. Working collaboratively at every stage means that any potential issues can be addressed early on, helping to prevent potential delays later down the line that could have costly repercussions. Of course, maintaining high health and safety standards remains absolutely paramount, and clearly allows projects to run to schedule too. Teamwork and good communication are a necessity when it comes to keeping everyone safe on site, which now includes the added complexities of COVID-19 safety measures.
Time spent on site, safety and construction’s impact on the surrounding area and environment are essential factors. Merchants should support customers with their commitments in these areas. For example, Keyline and its civils specific fleet has achieved and retained its Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) Gold accreditation for a number of years, ensuring that our vehicles can deliver safely to all sites, even those facing the tightest restrictions. Keyline feels that this
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