Finding the best manufacturer and supplier of building materials is not the easiest of tasks. The number of such companies is increasing every year – and while the Covid-19 pandemic has somewhat slowed down the growth of this sector, the value of the Indian construction industry is still set to go beyond $737 billion by the end of 2022. There are many large and small players in the market, and the onus lies on the customers to find and hire a leading manufacturer of building materials.

Here are some guidelines for businesses to find the best building material manufacturers for their projects:

Professional Reputation & Service Credentials

Prior to hiring any building material manufacturer, it is always advisable to check the reputation and track record of the concerned company. Clients should look for manufacturers that have a strong industry presence, with sufficient relevant experience in doing the particular type of project(s) that have to be worked on. Good construction material manufacturer firms invariably have in-depth knowledge of the latest building technology, manufacturing methods and industry safety standards. It is also a good idea to check the background credentials of the shortlisted manufacturer companies, and double-check the references they provide. In addition, businesses should opt to work with manufacturers & suppliers that promise ‘24×7 service availability. This would ensure that the supply chain of building materials will remain uninterrupted. It’s not that new companies cannot provide quality products, but customers cannot really afford to take chances.

Availability Of Customised Solutions

Not all building projects are the same – and as such, a ‘one-size-fits-all’ set of construction materials and tools is never going to serve the different customers’ needs. Businesses should look to focus on collaborating with building material manufacturers that would take time out to understand the precise project requirements, along with the nature of construction projects and operations. Leading manufacturers always prioritise their clients’ requirements, and they recommend and deliver building materials accordingly. To ensure a seamless mechanical workflow, customers should look for suppliers that can also provide expert knowhow on the use of mechanical applications and best practices. Such companies will be able to provide building project-related advice as and when required, along with prompt emergency & regular support. The key lies in finding a building manufacturer that would be able to deliver fully customised products and services.

Focus On Building Material Quality

Trying to cut costs by compromising on quality is an absolute no-no, particularly in the building & construction industry. Using substandard machines and accessories can lead to grievous accidents, and long-drawn, expensive repairs. To avoid such risks, it is the responsibility of clients to enquire about the different types of building materials needed, along with the technologies and design engineering standards that would be implemented. Before finalising on any particular building material manufacturer, whether the latter performs due diligence with performance testing/environmental testing also has to be ensured (leading manufacturers generally offer eco-friendly services). The objective of a business should be simple: find and hire a building material manufacturer that provides agile services, adheres to globally accepted standards, and can deliver an optimal blend of professional expertise, quality and trust.

A Wide Array Of Products Should Be Available

If the portfolio of a manufacturing company has a pretty limited range of products, that generally indicates poor service coverage and experience. Ideally, a buyer should look to work with building material manufacturer(s) that have a large variety of products and building accessories in stock. These should include items like counterweights, trench gates, manhole covers, surface boxes & valve boxes, fabrication tools, and other high-quality port and airport solutions. Put in another way, the manufacturer that is finally chosen should be a one-stop solution provider. This would ensure that clients will have different product varieties to choose from, while the delays and hassles of having to source different materials from different companies will be avoided. Hiring a company with highly efficient delivery logistics is vital too. Early delivery (which can escalate storage costs) and late delivery (which causes supply chain delays) are both problematic – messing up project timelines. The key lies in finding a manufacturer company with complete, on-time fleet services.

End-To-End Project Management Support

Selling good quality building materials should never be a one-shot game for leading construction material manufacturers. The latter also has an important role to play in making supply chains and workflows systematic – by framing work-schedules and project deadlines, and maintaining other key documentation (e.g., product specifications). Ideally, there should be a dedicated project manager, since that would do away with potential delays and/or mistakes in material handling procedures – which can otherwise lead to escalating costs and lengthy work repetitions. Problem resolution processes should also be prompt. Customers should also do well to avoid shady companies that offer ‘special deals’ that seem too good to be true. It has to be kept in mind that ‘extraordinarily cheap’ products are never ‘good’ ones.

Excellent Material Handling Services

We have earlier highlighted the importance of finding building material manufacturers that ensure on-time deliveries of quality materials. However, this should not be the only consideration – and businesses should also provide professional assistance with all types of material handling – including product unloading, secure storage, and other related tasks. In a nutshell, a leading building material manufacturer/supplier has to take all possible measures to minimise the chances of workplace accidents. In order to avoid in-transit damages and inordinate delays, weather elements should also be considered. Reputed makers of building materials offer expert material handling and maintenance support, which makes the overall process more efficient and value-added.

Compliance With Business Standards & Ethics

In their bid to find building material manufacturers and suppliers that offer good product ranges at the best prices, buyers often do not pay adequate attention to the business policies followed by these companies. Top-rated manufacturers typically follow ‘responsible material sourcing’ policies, and deliver full quality assurance (also, verifiable client references). Customers should ideally ask about whether the building material manufacturer has sourcing certification(s) – since non-compliance or underhand practices can result in costly legal hassles. The supplier should never delegate the manufacturing tasks to other third-party agencies either. In addition, clients also prefer working with manufacturers that always have the required materials in their inventory, and follow high-quality shipping standards. If a company orders materials only when the client comes onboard, the reliability factor takes a hit – and the resultant delays are likely to hamper the supply chain.

Accountability & Transparent Pricing

Even when a client is working with the best-quality materials, things can go wrong. Glitches can crop up at any stage in the mechanical processes and/or the underlying technology. To handle these quickly and effectively, customers should look for building manufacturers that are prepared to take full responsibility for the solutions they deliver. If the company personnel has sufficient knowledge and experience to deal with different emergency solutions, lengthy downtimes can be avoided. As a result, the construction process flow remains uninterrupted.

With all types of building material suppliers currently in the market, customers also have to be wary of hidden costs and other additional charges. Renowned manufacturers, like Crescent Foundry, have highly competitive and fully transparent pricing structures. This removes all cost-related uncertainties, and buyers can follow their budgets with ease. Making a shortlist of the best manufacturers should be the first step for a customer – and from that list, it can compare their services and select the one that offers the most value.

Easy Availability Of Accessories, Attachments & Spare Parts

For construction project managers, delays in sourcing material accessories is often a huge point of concern. For example, if an essential forklift attachment cannot be quickly procured, the overall supply chain can get delayed and fractured. Hence, it is absolutely essential that a business finds and hires a building material manufacturer that makes all spare parts, brand-name accessories and attachments readily available. It is also recommended that buyers check the inventory as and when they are delivered. In case there are any damages/mismatches, the customer should be able to contact the manufacturing vendor immediately. When the right building material manufacturer company is selected, the average waiting time for replacement parts becomes minimal.

Round-the-Clock Customer Support Services

During a project, it is the responsibility of the makers of building materials to provide expert support and advice at every stage. From operational best practices and mechanical training for workers, to handling critical issues and query resolutions, the supplier should be able to promptly fulfill all types of client requirements. In order to get an idea about such capabilities, buyers should monitor the speed and quality of the first few contacts with the manufacturer company it is planning to hire. It is also advisable to select a company that offers consistent after-sales services as well, and has customer-friendly guarantee and warranty policies (buyers have to carefully check the duration and other terms). Round-the-clock customer services and proper after-sales support are key for maintaining high long-term ROI figures. In general, the building material manufacturer should never be more than a call/email away.

Businesses should always be on the lookout for building material manufacturers that deliver an optimal combination of delivery speed, material quality, and competitive pricing. It is very important to list down the materials that are actually needed (as opposed to things that would be ‘nice to have’), and inform the manufacturer company accordingly. This would help in preventing expenses from spiralling upwards. Finding a good manufacturer & supplier of quality building materials is no rocket science – customers need to do their research, check everything, compare the services being offered, and select the best.