How to Navigate Supply Chain Disruption

Even if you’re not in commercial construction, at some point you’ve dealt with impacts from the disruption to the supply chain. Every industry has been impacted by the global shipping disarray and the ripple effects from port congestion to labor shortages.

The supply chain used to be a specialized subject, but with national delays and a few empty shelves, it’s now entered mainstream awareness. Experts anticipate supply chain issues to continue well into 2022, so it’s clear we need to find a way to adjust to yet another new normal.

Here are some tips for navigating supply chain issues:

Anticipate Higher Lead Times

On construction projects, lead times refer to how long it takes between placing an order and its delivery to the project site. According to research analysts, depending on the materials, lead times for materials have gone from days to weeks, and from weeks to months.

Planning ahead is more important than ever before.

Chart: Industry’s current lead times:

  
      Item*
      Pre-COVID Delivery Time
      Current Delivery Time
      Future Delivery Time
    

  Prestressed concrete products
    3-4 months
      6-7 months
      6-7 months
    
Asphalt roofing and siding
    2-4 weeks
      2-3 months
      2-3 months
    
Concrete block and brick
    2-4 weeks
      3-6 weeks
      3-6 weeks
    
Ready-mixed concrete
    1-2 days
      1-2 weeks
      1-2 weeks
    
Precast concrete products
    2-4 weeks
      4-6 weeks
      4-6 weeks
    
Brick and structural clay tile
    3-4 weeks
      16-20 weeks
      16-20 weeks
    
Flat glass
    3-4 weeks
      8-16 weeks
      8-16 weeks
    
Gypsum products
    3-4 weeks
      5-6 weeks
      5-6 weeks
    
Insulation materials
    2-4 weeks
      4-5 months
      4-5 months
    
Steel pipe and tube
    4-8 weeks
      4-5 months
      4-5 months
    
Aluminum mill shapes
    4-8 weeks
      4-5 months
      4-5 months
    
Sheet metal products
    2-4 weeks
      4-6 weeks
      4-6 weeks
    
Fabricated structural steel
    6-8 weeks
      5-6 months
      5-6 months
    
Metal bar joists and rebar
    2-3 months
      6+ months
      6+ months
    
Lighting and Mechanical
 Control System components
    4-6 weeks
      4-6 months
      TBD
    
Light Fixtures
    6-8 weeks
      10-14 weeks
      TBD
    
Plumbing Fixtures
    2 weeks
      10-14 weeks
      TBD
    

Item*	Pre-COVID Delivery Time	Current Delivery Time	Future Delivery Time
Prestressed concrete products	3-4 months	6-7 months	6-7 months
Asphalt roofing and siding	2-4 weeks	2-3 months	2-3 months
Concrete block and brick	2-4 weeks	3-6 weeks	3-6 weeks
Ready-mixed concrete	1-2 days	1-2 weeks	1-2 weeks
Precast concrete products	2-4 weeks	4-6 weeks	4-6 weeks
Brick and structural clay tile	3-4 weeks	16-20 weeks	16-20 weeks
Flat glass	3-4 weeks	8-16 weeks	8-16 weeks
Gypsum products	3-4 weeks	5-6 weeks	5-6 weeks
Insulation materials	2-4 weeks	4-5 months	4-5 months
Steel pipe and tube	4-8 weeks	4-5 months	4-5 months
Aluminum mill shapes	4-8 weeks	4-5 months	4-5 months
Sheet metal products	2-4 weeks	4-6 weeks	4-6 weeks
Fabricated structural steel	6-8 weeks	5-6 months	5-6 months
Metal bar joists and rebar	2-3 months	6+ months	6+ months
Lighting and Mechanical Control System components	4-6 weeks	4-6 months	TBD
Light Fixtures	6-8 weeks	10-14 weeks	TBD
Plumbing Fixtures	2 weeks	10-14 weeks	TBD

* Bold and underlined = items that most closely affect Source Planning & Construction

Diversify your source of suppliers

When you only depend on a handful of suppliers, you're putting your fate in their hands. By diversifying your suppliers you create multiple paths for continually bringing in the supplies you need even when one supplier is unable to deliver.

Stay connected to your suppliers

Maintain open communication with those in your supply chain. Check in regularly so you get an accurate sense of their timeline. Plan multiple steps ahead as you discuss inventory so you know when you need to make adjustments.

Source is not immune to the supply chain disruption, but we do have one advantage: Planning is a core part of our strategy. Now more than ever, you need to stay ahead of your projects.