When you are in the midst of a project, having everything arrive on time is crucial. In effect, a construction site is like a huge domino, and when one thing goes wrong, it can derail the entire operation for days or weeks. What can we do to ensure timely delivery when dealing with foreign suppliers? In this article we go over a few key insights to help you reduce lead times.

Timing

The first and most important thing to do is have a clear timeline of when things need to happen. Keep in mind that unforeseen circumstances can happen, and buffer times need to be considered. Having an experienced consultant  who understands the ins and outs of the industry is key.

Communication

Once you know what needs to happen and when, clear communication is the next key. This might seem obvious, but sometimes the simplest things are the most effective. If you are not communicating correctly and clearly with your supplier about expectations, there is no chance things are going to go smoothly. Don’t wait until the deadline to communicate with them, either. Keep in contact with them throughout the process to see how things are going. This will also give you a chance to pivot if things go seriously wrong.

Create Incentives

Another way to help move things along is to create incentives for your supplier. Maybe offer a tiered bonus if they complete your order on time or ahead of schedule.

Consolidate Suppliers

The more people and things you need to coordinate, the more time you lose. By consolidating suppliers, you will spend less time managing and more time doing. Of course, this isn’t always going to be possible, but take a look at where you get your supplies from and see if you are able to consolidate as many as possible.

Hiring Professionals

Another thing you can do is hire a third-party to deal with all your foreign suppliers. This way, you talk to one person and they will take care of everything for you. At Atlantic Link we have more than 20 years of experience doing just this. We consult with architects, sales associates , and contractors to get the exact materials they need and then we take care of the entire process. Your materials will always arrive on time.

Interested in seeing how Atlantic Link can help you import materials from Italy?

Check out our past projects and see what we are able to do for you!