The UK construction industry showed a worth of £326.94 billion in 2022. That figure is expected to increase to over £400 billion in the next few years. Materials and equipment are fundamental for all projects, so effective warehousing and storage is essential to support the industry.
Construction firms often have multiple projects on the go at any one time, and keeping track of materials and equipment can be difficult. Finding an efficient warehouse storage solution that works for your business to support your supply chain can ease that pressure.
A reputable secure warehousing facility will have facilities and systems in place to help you manage your construction projects. There are many things to consider when employing the services of a third-party warehousing facility like GWS. This article will help you to find the right storage solution for your company.
Manage your supply chain – large or small
Construction firms have many items to coordinate to keep their projects moving, so keeping track of everything is important. Some items will be needed more regularly than others, so it can be hard to manage stock. A great warehouse will help you manage this; however, we need to understand what is being stored in the facility. So, what are the requirements of the construction industry?
Consumables
Construction workers and labourers require several single-use or regularly replaced items, such as gloves and high-visibility safety vests. These still need to be stored where they can be easily accessed and called upon when needed.
Materials
The construction industry requires materials that vary in quantity and size. Bags of cement, wood panels, or steel joists show how diverse the industry's storage needs are.
Equipment
A construction project cannot run without the tools and machinery to complete relevant tasks. Certain equipment may not always be required from one job to another, depending on the requirements of the project.
The varied nature of the storage needs of the construction can cause a headache for many firms. Companies need to manage items of varied sizes, from boxes of smaller items, through to heavy, bulky materials and large machinery. So, construction firms need to find flexible storage that can support storing anything, whether it is large or small.
In addition to the size of the products, some items are needed more regularly than others. Gloves, boots and safety vests might have a high turnover, whereas specialist equipment may not be needed as regularly. You need to find a warehouse provider with a robust warehouse management system that helps keep track of everything.
Secure Warehousing that builds success
Finding the right warehousing provider can really make a difference to your business. A reliable storage facility with a dependable team will help you to streamline your operations. What should you look for in a warehouse for a construction company?
Location
Construction projects take place all around the UK, and if your business undertakes work in different areas, storage location is important. You need to know that you can get access to your inventory easily, no matter where your construction site is. Consider a warehouse location that is central and has good access to the UK's road network.
Flexible storage
As we have discussed, the needs of the construction industry vary greatly. So, you need to know that your warehousing facility can handle products of different sizes. Some of your products could be stored outside, and sometimes, external storage is ideal. But other materials need to be kept clean and dry. Size matters: your warehouse needs to have large areas to store bulky materials and equipment.
Secure storage
The materials and equipment associated with the construction industry are not only expensive but sought after. Look for a warehousing site that has security at the forefront of their operations. Secure perimeter fencing, restricted and monitored access, manned security and state-of-the-art CCTV will help to protect your valuable goods.
How warehouse management systems help the construction industry
So, we've discussed what you need from your storage and what you should look for, but how does this help you?
Project efficiency
Knowing where your inventory is being held ensures that you can lay your hands on what you need when you need it. This makes your projects much more efficient and improves your project timelines with increased productivity.
Better project planning
Having all your materials and equipment in one place, monitored by a competent warehouse supplier, helps with your planning. A third-party warehouse, like GWS, uses an online warehouse management system (WMS) to keep track of your inventory. This way, you know where your equipment and materials are, ready for deployment to the relevant construction site.
Reduce waste
Looking after your inventory helps prevent losses from waste and damage. Third-party warehouses specialise in product handling. They make sure that your inventory is protected and well looked after. With their warehouse management systems, you'll be able to find your stock easily, and there is less chance of it going missing.
Protect from theft
Secure warehouses, like GWS, have specialised security systems in place to protect your stock from vandalism or theft. A warehouse management system gives you real-time visibility of your stock so you can keep an eye on your valuables.
Save time and money with secure storage
Finding a quality warehouse is money well spent for the construction industry. A good warehouse is not just about protecting your stock; it's about managing it, too. Using a warehouse in a location with good transport links saves time on transportation and logistics. Having flexible space means that you can have everything under one roof rather than using multiple sites, consolidating your costs.
If your warehouse solution uses a decent warehouse management system, you'll be able to get hold of stock or equipment quickly. This will reduce any potential delays on your construction projects, which end up costing you money.
GWS supports the construction industry with bulk storage solutions
GWS has years of experience in the warehousing sector with a team of people who are passionate about your product. Our strategic warehouse location in Immingham, North East Lincolnshire, can access 75% of the UK within 2 hours.
Our flexible site includes external storage, bulk storage, easy offloading capabilities and bonded warehousing facilities. GWS is a fully secure warehousing site with a 24/7 manned gatehouse and HD CCTV monitoring.
We use a state-of-the-art warehouse management system to give you complete control of your material and equipment.
If you need help storing stock to support your construction business, give us a call, and we'll provide you with a competitive quote.
