Smarter Logistics for Offsite Construction

The commercial construction industry is changing. At Stream Logistics, we stay ahead of the game by understanding the industry’s evolution, strategizing the best course of action, and adjusting our transportation solutions accordingly. 

The Shift from Commodities to Specialties

Historically, commercial construction has been an industry where raw materials are shipped to a job site, and all the construction is performed on-site. 

These raw materials are commoditized, meaning they’re readily available and not much different in quality from supplier to supplier. In fact, every major city likely has multiple suppliers of these commoditized materials. Therefore, if you need raw materials on a job site, it’s easy to get them quickly.

Logistics models in commercial construction have been built around delivering commodities. But things are changing, and so must the logistics model. 

The Move to Offsite Construction

Recent trends indicate that offsite construction is becoming increasingly common. With this building methodology, specialized manufacturers build modules (entire rooms, bathrooms, elevator systems, homes, etc.) and prefabricated components (walls, flooring, roofing, facades, and much more) in a warehouse with precision engineering. These modular and prefabricated units are then shipped to the job site where they can be quickly installed.

Off-site construction is faster, more precise, and more predictable than traditional building methods. It also reduces the amount of labor needed on a job site and makes the whole process more efficient.

Although the concept of modular and prefabricated construction is nothing new, the trend towards these types of construction is accelerating. This is because exponential engineering advancements are making it easier and more affordable to build in this way. 

As offsite construction becomes more popular, the industry's innovative manufacturers can offer more competitive pricing due to scale. Couple the increase in affordability with the aforementioned efficiencies, and it’s naturally compelling for general contractors to make the permanent switch to off-site construction techniques. 

New Logistical Challenges

With these innovations in the construction industry come new transportation challenges. At Stream Logistics, we’re already on top of it and have built bulletproof solutions to address these new concerns. 

Instead of using commoditized materials that are easily found in local markets, general contractors are using offsite manufacturing specialists; the few innovative companies that operate at scale and serve construction projects all over the country. 

So, for example, if you’re doing a project in Atlanta, you may need to source modular components from several other states, perhaps as distant as the west coast. This extends transit time from a few hours to multiple days, which means the stakes for on-time delivery dramatically increases.

If transit times, proper delivery sequence, and job site constraints aren’t thoughtfully considered and meticulously planned, you risk losing a lot of money, productivity, and time—not to mention your hard-earned reputation.  

At Stream Logistics, we know what’s at stake and what happens if it isn’t done right. Check out our posts on project management and the transit buffer to learn how we stop onsite problems before they ever happen. 

The Innovators 

The specialists creating modular and prefabricated products are doing something truly unique and have an abundance of opportunities at their fingertips. They are extremely innovative and creating entirely new industries. Unlike the commoditized raw materials industry, they’re not playing a zero-sum game that results in fighting for market share. Instead, they are creating a brand new demand.

In fact, their biggest threats are not competitors, but rather keeping up with demand. They require innovative partners who can help them realize their biggest opportunities, fulfill obligations, and keep promises.

The Stream Logistics Commitment to Innovation

We love working with these construction innovators. They push us to innovate transportation models that match their creativity. Our sole goal is to make sure a job site is never disrupted due to logistics challenges. This allows our clients to capitalize on opportunities and enhance their brand reputation.

If you’d like to learn more about Stream Logistics and how we’ll handle your High Stakes Freight?, connect with us! Our team of experts will gladly show you how we’ll make your next big project a stress-free success.