Prefab construction calls for smart supply chain coordination

Pieter Vermeer (Qonnected) present at the PREFAB trade fair at the Brabanthallen in 's-Hertogenbosch

The Dutch government aims for half of all new homes to be built using industrialised construction methods by 2030. Achieving this acceleration requires production, transport and assembly to work seamlessly together. Qonnected coordinates that connection.

Qonnected attended the PREFAB trade fair at the Brabanthallen in ’s-Hertogenbosch. A key topic for us: how can we ensure that the speed of factory production translates into faster progress on site?

From factory to assembly

In prefab construction, many things need to align. The building component must be ready, transport available, the unloading area accessible, and the crane and assembly crew ready to start.

A late delivery can leave people and equipment waiting. A truck arriving too early may have nowhere to unload. And components delivered in the wrong sequence can lead to additional handling and temporary storage.

That is why deliveries must remain aligned with the current construction schedule. If assembly dates change, suppliers and transport providers need enough notice to adjust.

Urban construction requires coordination

Space is particularly limited on large urban construction projects. Prefab deliveries share unloading areas and cranes with other material flows. Subcontractors need their own deliveries, while waste and packaging also need to be removed.

When each party plans independently, bottlenecks arise. The time saved in the factory can then be lost on site.

The role of Qonnected

Qonnected connects main contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, transport providers and hubs through the Q-Platform. We align orders, transport and delivery slots with site operations and available capacity.

We select the appropriate route for each material flow. Large prefab components can be delivered directly to the assembly location. Where beneficial, supporting materials can be consolidated through a Q-Hub and delivered on demand.

This coordination starts during the tendering and preparation stages, helping to reduce waiting times, additional handling and unnecessary journeys.

Prefab accelerates production. Qonnected helps the entire supply chain keep pace.

Are you working on an urban construction project involving prefab? Contact us for a project-specific discussion or a demo of the Q-Platform.

Source: Volkshuisvesting Nederland – ambition for 50% industrialised new home construction by 2030.