The construction industry’s supply chain is infamously complex and dynamic, linking together a vast array of materials, manufacturers, distributors and contractors. With tight timelines and slim margins, there’s little room for error – yet constant pressure to meet the highest standards in health & safety, quality, and sustainability.
To shine a spotlight on this system of many moving parts, we ran a series of LinkedIn polls to explore key concerns and uncover what’s top of mind for suppliers right now.
It’s a timely conversation too, with the UK’s flagship real estate and construction event, UKREiiF, taking place next week. Many of these themes will no doubt surface in panels, workshops, breakout chats, and even post-conference drinks – not just among delegates, but the Influential team on the ground as well.
What did we learn?
Getting technical
In our first poll, we asked: What’s the top priority for improving the construction supply chain? This ended up being one of the most divided results of the series with the stats breaking down as:
- Implementing new technologies – 38%
- Reducing costs – 25%
- Increasing efficiency – 25%
- Enhancing collaboration – 13%
With AI, automation, machine learning and more rapidly shifting from sci-fi possibility to everyday reality, it’s no surprise that tech topped the list of priorities.
This theme emerged again in a later poll, when we asked which technology suppliers thought would have the biggest impact in the next five years. The overwhelming majority pointed to AI and machine learning as the answer, with the results being:
- AI and machine learning – 75%
- IoT and smart sensors – 13%
- Modular Innovations – 13%
Disruptive challenges
Despite the tech enthusiasm, the top challenge identified by suppliers wasn’t skills gaps – it was inflation and price volatility. This was our most decisive result, with every respondent selecting it over other options like talent shortages, ESG demands, or lack of investment.
This speaks to the sustained impact of recent global upheavals. From pandemic disruptions and geopolitical conflict to supply chain gridlocks and tariff shifts, the industry has had to navigate an ongoing storm of uncertainty.
The near half a decade of economic curveballs has clearly made the sector wary of whatever crisis might come next. This was illustrated when we asked suppliers how prepared they were to handle unexpected disruptions in the future. Just over half (56%) said they were “somewhat prepared”, while no one felt “very prepared” and a third admitted the sector was “not prepared”.
Being trendy
It’s not all headwinds though, with suppliers optimistic about innovation. When asked which trends would shape the supply chain most over the next decade, responses broke down as:
- Modular construction – 83%
- Circular economy – 17%
While modular construction has been around for some time, its large-scale adoption is still not as set in stone as many were predicting it would be. This response is welcome news for those that believe in this approach over traditional methods and who can see the efficiency, quality, sustainability and cost benefits it can deliver – particularly if modular manufacturers get the investment and support required to scale up operations.
While trailing behind, the circular economy is also influencing how buildings are designed, maintained, and repurposed. There are still hurdles to overcome, such as how to reuse certain materials effectively, but ongoing R&D is generating smarter ways to reduce waste and close the loop.
Be green to be seen
On the topic of sustainability, we asked what suppliers felt was the biggest barrier to going green in the construction sector. Interestingly neither a lack of supplier options or an insufficient demand for green solutions were voted on, with the top results being high costs (71%) and a lack of expertise (29%).
While the cost of sustainable options is falling, there’s clearly still a perception that the cost of going green is potentially prohibitive. Upskilling the supply chain’s workforce is another critical piece of the puzzle, but training employees and hiring top talent have their own price tags.
Many suppliers are also aware that it’s not just in-house expertise that’s important, as clients also need to understand the benefits, differences, practicalities and realities of green solutions to specify and get the most out of them.
This segues us neatly to the last question in the series, which was on the importance suppliers place on communicating their sustainability credentials. A resounding 82% said it’s extremely important, while the remaining 18% called it somewhat important.
Failing to get your green messages out there risks a brand being overlooked in a crowded market – and missing the chance to highlight game changing green tech.
A problem shared…
Together, these insights paint a picture of an industry that’s both pressured and full of potential. It’s a complex, fast-evolving landscape, but one where collaboration, innovation, and smart communication can drive real progress.
That’s exactly what makes UKREiiF so valuable: it brings the sector together to tackle shared challenges and spark fresh thinking.
If you’d like to meet with Influential during UKREiiF to chat about PR, marketing, communications or branding, we’d love to talk – be it in a meeting room, a coffee shop, or over a post-panel pint. Let’s book a time.
To find out more about our services, check out the rest of our website or email us at marketingteam@thisisinfluential.com for a chat.
