What challenges does logistics face in the construction industry?

Although in many industries, the transportation of goods can cause difficulties, this is of particular importance in the context of transporting construction materials. This is because very different loads are involved, which:

• are large and heavy, so require the use of extreme care during loading and unloading,
• impose an obligation on the carrier to specially secure the cargo against damage or loss, such as against spillage of the transported aggregate causing loss,
• abound with sharp edges and are characterized by high weight, so they can threaten standard transport security and require the use of reinforced solutions,
• not infrequently involve oversized goods, and thus require additional security and a safe transportation route,
• are vulnerable to theft – rising prices of construction materials make thieves increasingly interested in cargo of this kind.

It is also worth bearing in mind a few additional issues. Even if the damage is minimal, damaged building materials usually cannot be used due to the risk of reducing the durability of the entire building. In the context of shipments carried out for the construction industry, avoiding even the slightest delays is essential, which can prove very costly for the investor.

It should also be remembered that construction materials are transported not only on the manufacturer-construction site line. Intermediaries also play a significant role in selling such goods: various wholesalers and construction stores. Regarding services performed for such a builder, it is essential to know that transportation costs significantly impact the prices of the products sold and the company’s profits. Optimization of the cargo transportation process is, therefore, motivated by financial considerations from the point of view of both entrepreneurs and retail customers.

The so-called empty mileage also represents the problem of transporting construction materials. Under this term is the realization of carriage only in one direction, while the return of cars to the original place is carried out without cargo.

Optimization of transport of construction materials – valuable tips

There is no doubt that optimization of construction material transportation activities is needed. On the other hand, any cost-cutting can quickly take revenge, generating costly losses. It may be better to make some changes resulting in increased efficiency in this process. Such solutions deserve special attention, such as:

• proven staff – saving on employees can do more harm than good. Why? An experienced driver knows how to behave in an emergency to minimize the risk of transportation damage or delays;
• efficient management of the transport fleet – modern telematics systems will help. With their help, you can plot the optimal route and monitor its implementation in real time. Analysis of the records for a specific order will, in turn, help determine what can be improved in the future, such as the way the driver drives or the way the cargo is secured;
• regular servicing of the fleet – the efficiency of transporting construction materials is jeopardized by inoperative vehicles that can break down en route. This means ordering the dispatch of roadside assistance or even another vehicle to take over the load and bring it to its destination. This, in turn, entails additional costs that increase the cost of providing the transportation service.

It is also worth noting that transportation costs are not everything. In the case of building materials, long storage can also cause financial losses, especially when the space allocated for this is limited. Organizing the supply chain so that cargo arrives at its destination as needed- without worrying about long-term storage – will help reduce these costs.

Long layovers associated with improperly organized unloading of transportation are also costly. A sound telemetry system will help improve the efficiency of this process. Thanks to it, the investor knows perfectly well where the cargo is at any given time. So he can plan everything so that the unloading equipment is waiting for the transport at the right place and time. This will avoid chaos when several or a dozen cars arrive one day. They will all be unloaded efficiently and be able to leave quickly without creating queues.

Professional support in logistics for the construction industry

Due to the nature of the industry, such transportation requires specialized knowledge and trained, experienced staff. If you want to save yourself problems and unnecessary costs, consider at least planning this process with the help of a transportation and logistics company that offers professional transportation of construction materials as part of its services, such as AsstrA.

By choosing this option, you can gain a comprehensive service that includes carrying out the entire process from A to Z. You don’t have to organize loading or unloading independently. In addition, the transport will arrive at its destination by the optimal route and using the most cost-effective means of transportation. All this will reduce costs and losses for the investor.