TECHNOLOGY REPORT
SUPPLY
STRAIN
Shift to digital delivery options helps construction supply chain hold up through pandemic BY DAVID KENNEDY
T
he construction supply chain strained under the considerable weight of the COVID-19 pandemic this spring, but in spite of slowdowns at manufacturing plants, revamped procedures at Canadian borders and stricter protocols on job sites, haulers have, generally speaking, continued to deliver the materials needed to keep projects moving forward. There are exceptions, and many contractors have reported disruptions or delays since early this year. But considering the scale of the crisis, logistics networks have proved relatively resilient, according
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to Jordan Thomson, a senior manager with KPMG Canada’s Infrastructure Advisory team. “All in all… the supply chain has held together pretty well,” Thomson said in webinar hosted by the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) in May. “It’s remained intact throughout the pandemic, although we have been hearing from our clients that there are issues, more so on the delays and just difficulties getting things actually to site.” Thomson noted that key materials such as steel and concrete have remained available, but pointed to issues with more
specialized products, such as light fixtures and other manufactured finishes with longer lead times. In a survey conducted this June, two thirds of Ontario contractors in the ICI (industrial, commercial and institutional) sector reported supply chain disruptions at a medium or high level. In three similar surveys carried out by the Ontario Construction Secretariat (OCS) at different stages of the pandemic, contractors have consistently cited supply chain disruptions as an area of concern. Particularly when dealing with international suppliers, Thomson said contractors
