The topic of supply chains in construction has always been a talking point, but over the last few months it has been thrust into the spotlight for a few reasons: US and China trade-wars, tariffs as a consequence of Brexit, the increasing criticality of carbon and, oh yes, a global pandemic. Given all of this, it is a fair assumption that supply chains will remain a crucial issue for some time to come.

When orders are placed with contractors, which then travel to sub-contractors, and then perhaps sub-sub-contractors, and then suppliers, who in turn use other multiple manufacturers, it’s easy to see how the multiple-layering of international trade can create complex supply chains which are often impossible to fathom. There are, of course, more straight-forward routes to market but the truth is that most construction elements are reliant on the performance of multiple organisations and countries.

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