The future of Construction Logistics

this article was also published in Bouwtotaal (Dutch)

Ten Years Ago: A Call for Change

Ten years ago, TKI Dinalog (Dutch Institute for Advanced Logistics), TNO, and TLN stated that construction logistics urgently needed to catch up in the areas of supply chain management and 4C (Cross Chain Control Center).The message was clear: current construction logistics are too fragmented, inefficient, and place unnecessary strain on cities. Only through close cooperation between companies, knowledge institutions, and government can the sector become future-proof.

The Current Situation: Inefficient and Burdensome

Construction logistics account for about 20% of all logistics traffic in the Netherlands and even more than a third of all city logistics. With the growing demand for inner-city construction — from housing to offices and infrastructure — this share will only increase. At the same time, cities struggle with limited infrastructure and transport capacity.

Climate targets, air quality standards, and traffic safety are under pressure, while the need to rapidly realize housing and other facilities remains high.

The inefficiency is striking: the average load factor of transports is only 60%, and many trucks return empty. Urban deliveries are even worse — a truck starting at 60% full may have only 10% remaining after the last delivery. On average, 60% of delivery units are parked on public roads, blocking streets and causing delays.

The result: high logistics costs, congested roads, increased CO₂ emissions, and a worsening shortage of qualified drivers.

This clearly shows that current construction logistics are not only economically inefficient, but also socially and ecologically problematic. A systemic approach is needed — one that integrates efficiency, sustainability, and urban livability.

“Municipalities are constantly looking for ways to reduce city congestion and emissions. They play an important role by introducing zero-emission zones to improve air quality and avoid ‘green traffic jams’. Governments already often require the use of a Construction Hub with shuttle services in tenders.”— Michel Oldenburg, logistics broker for governments

What Is the Construction Logistics Chain?

Construction logistics include all flows of materials, equipment, and people needed for a construction project. This includes the daily transport of raw materials, semi-finished products, and building materials from suppliers to construction sites, as well as the movement of machinery, tools, and personnel.

A major bottleneck is the low load factor and fragmented deliveries. The massive inner-city construction challenge — combined with narrow streets, limited parking, and heavy traffic — makes the sector both inefficient and disruptive to urban life.

The solution lies in bundling transport flows, so each trip is used to the maximum. This is only possible when all logistics movements are transparent and coordinated — a task ideally suited to a Construction Hub (Bouwhub).

The 4C Solution: Chain Coordination and Control Tower

To manage the logistics chain effectively, a 4C solution is needed — a digital control tower that coordinates all activities.Qonnected Logistics provides this through the Q-platform, which connects construction companies, suppliers, transporters, and construction sites.

The Q-platform bundles deliveries from order to delivery on a daily basis and integrates 13 physical construction hubs, providing full transparency and coordination in construction logistics.👉 www.qonnected-logistics.com

“To gain control over the collaboration needed for an efficient construction hub, you need control towers.”— Siem van Merriënboer, Senior Consultant TNO (source: Dinalog Impact Story Bouwhubs)

Three Flows: Materials, Equipment, and People

Construction logistics go beyond material transport. They involve three main flows:

1. MaterialsAs described earlier: building materials are bundled from suppliers or manufacturers and delivered Just-in-Time via construction hubs, maximizing load factors and minimizing CO₂ emissions.The use of prefab components also reduces transport flows — and by 2050, 50% of all construction must be prefab. Hubs can also play a role in assembling prefab packages.

2. EquipmentEquipment such as cranes, machines, and tools can also be delivered and stored through the platform. Unused machines can be shared or rented by other projects, with certifications, maintenance, and operators managed centrally — leading to more efficient and cost-effective equipment management.

3. PeoplePersonnel form a critical factor. The platform facilitates shuttle services for staff and manages planning for scarce skilled workers (carpenters, masons, operators, etc.) per project and time period — reducing shortages and improving on-site efficiency.

The Role of Construction Hubs

A Construction Hub (Bouwhub) is a central storage and distribution site where materials from multiple suppliers are consolidated before being sent to construction sites. This system offers several advantages:

• Order bundling:Construction firms and subcontractors place project orders in advance so that deliveries can be combined. Trucks are fully loaded, routes are optimized by neighborhood or project (e.g., Amsterdam Zuidas, Rotterdam Kop van Zuid).

• Storage and flexibility:Hubs offer temporary storage, allowing suppliers to move inventory forward. This reduces constant transport needs and turns storage costs into variable expenses. Return flows can also be processed efficiently.

• Creating construction kits:Suppliers deliver complete sets (e.g., bathrooms, kitchens) to the hub, where materials are preassembled or customized before delivery — further improving efficiency.

• Efficiency for transporters:Delivering to one hub drastically reduces city trips and waiting times. Even if unit prices drop slightly, a fully loaded truck is far more profitable than several half-empty ones.

• Just-in-Time delivery:Materials are delivered emission-free from the hub to the construction site precisely when needed — directly to the correct floor or location.

• Return flows:Hubs can also collect construction waste, eliminating extra city trips.

Research shows this approach can reduce urban construction traffic by 73%. The remaining trips can be completely zero-emission, contributing to climate and air quality goals.

“We provide both the control tower (the Q-platform) and the physical construction hubs to make this possible. What others have been talking about for years — we have now realized!”— Pieter Vermeer, CEO, Qonnected Logistics BV👉 www.qonnected-logistics.com

Impact on All Stakeholders

For contractors and subcontractors:They gain insight into logistics costs, which typically represent 15% of a project’s foundation costs. This transparency enables cost savings, higher profits, and more accurate project planning. The visibility into inventory, waste streams, and CO₂ reporting also provides practical sustainability benefits.

“We are builders — not logistics service providers.Our strength lies on the construction site: delivering quality, craftsmanship, and results. But when it comes to logistics, we lack control over costs and processes.That must change. Therefore, we combine our craftsmanship with that of logistics specialists, who can manage the entire process from order to precise, on-time delivery.This allows us to focus on what we do best: building and developing.”— Ir. E. (Edwin) de Kuiper, Chairman of the Board Dura Vermeer Bouw Midden West BV

For suppliers and manufacturers:They lower transport and storage costs and make their cost structures more flexible. Stock and storage become variable and aligned with actual demand.

For transport companies:They don’t need to electrify their entire fleet immediately — they can use hubs to deliver zero-emission and increase profitability by operating only with full loads.

“As a transport company, St vd Brink is deeply rooted in society, and we are highly aware of our responsibility to people and the environment. We act proactively and seek cooperation with partners to use innovative, safe, and sustainable solutions to minimize our environmental impact.We are active and growing in construction logistics, and we understand that change is necessary — that’s why we advocate for chain collaboration!”— Alex van den Brink, Director, St vd Brink Transport

For cities and municipalities:They benefit from reduced congestion, lower CO₂ emissions, and improved livability. Zero-emission zones become more effective when transport is bundled, preventing “green traffic jams.”

Practical Examples

Cities such as Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Rotterdam already have construction hubs in operation or development.For example, in Utrecht’s Merwedekanaalzone, materials from multiple suppliers are consolidated in one hub, significantly reducing city traffic and improving site delivery efficiency.In Amsterdam, hubs serve the Zuidas and other inner-city projects, eliminating the need for trucks to make dozens of separate stops.

Broader Societal Benefits

A well-organized construction logistics system delivers more than just efficiency and cost savings:

• Safer cities: fewer parked trucks and traffic blockages.

• Cleaner air: zero-emission material deliveries.

• Less noise pollution: consolidated and minimized trips.

• Economic gains: lower costs, higher returns, and better project oversight.

• Social benefits: improved workforce planning, less stress on sites, and safer working conditions.

  
  

Conclusion

Construction logistics are undergoing a fundamental transformation.The bundling of deliveries via construction hubs, supported by a digital control tower like the Q-platform, makes transport more efficient, cheaper, cleaner, and safer.

By managing the three flows — materials, equipment, and people — in an integrated way, companies gain a complete overview of all site logistics.For builders: insight and cost savings.For suppliers: lower primary costs and flexible storage.For transporters: higher efficiency and profits.For cities: a cleaner, safer, and more livable environment.

This approach not only delivers economic benefits but also creates social and environmental impact: less congestion, lower emissions, and improved urban livability.With proper chain coordination, collaboration, and digital support, the Netherlands can meet its construction challenges in the coming decades without adding pressure to cities, the environment, or people.