A local materials supply chain plays a crucial role in the UK construction industry for several reasons. From sustainability to efficiency, local sourcing offers a wide variety of benefits that can make a significant difference in the success of construction projects.
We explore the importance of building with locally sourced materials and how it lays the groundwork for a stronger, more resilient construction industry.
Reduced Carbon Emissions
Transporting materials long distances contributes to carbon emissions and the environmental impact a construction project has. By sourcing materials locally, contractors can minimise transportation-related emissions, reducing the carbon footprint of their projects and supporting sustainability goals.
Faster Delivery Times
Local suppliers can often offer faster delivery times compared to suppliers located further away. This enables construction projects to proceed more efficiently, minimising delays and ensuring timely completion.
Greater Flexibility and Responsiveness
Local suppliers are typically more accessible and responsive to the needs of construction contractors. They can quickly adjust to changes in project requirements, provide timely assistance, and offer customised solutions to address specific challenges.
Support the Local Economy
Sourcing materials locally contributes to the economic vitality of the surrounding community. It supports local businesses, creates jobs, and strengthens the local economy by keeping the revenue within the region.
Enhanced Collaboration Opportunities
Building relationships with local suppliers fosters collaboration and partnership opportunities between construction contractors and suppliers. This collaboration can lead to innovation, knowledge sharing, and mutually beneficial outcomes for both parties.
Quality Assurance
Local suppliers are often known entities with established reputations in the community. Contractors can have greater confidence in the quality and reliability of materials sourced locally, reducing the risk of project delays or quality issues.
Compliance with Regulations
In some cases, local sourcing may be required to comply with regulations or specifications set by clients, government agencies, or industry standards. This includes requirements related to sustainability, environmental impact, or social responsibility.
Resilience to Disruptions
Relying on a local materials supply chain can enhance resilience to external disruptions, such as transportation disruptions, supply chain bottlenecks, or unforeseen events like natural disasters. Local suppliers may be better positioned to respond to and recover from such disruptions compared to suppliers located further away.
By prioritising local sourcing, contractors and housebuilders can contribute to sustainable, efficient, and resilient construction practices. A local supply chain can ease the burden of many current industry challenges like the environmental impact of construction and delays in sourcing materials. Businesses that embrace local sourcing are setting themselves up for success.
Adopt a local supply chain quickly & easily with The Build Chain
At The Build Chain, we recognise the challenges in adopting a local supply chain. If your work takes you all over the UK, it might be harder to establish relationships with local merchants and the process of finding suitable suppliers is often a manual, time consuming process.
That’s one of the problems we’re addressing with our online materials procurement platform, which transforms the process of buying materials.
Materials enquiries sent through The Build Chain are automatically matched to suppliers within a 30 mile radius of your site postcode, making it quick and easy to find new suppliers that are close to your site.
To find out more about how it works, book a demo – you can begin sending enquiries the same day!
