Win-win on the building site: Optimised logistics shortens build times and cuts costs

The German construction industry is under pressure. Rising material costs, a shortage of skilled workers and increasingly complex project requirements are forcing companies to scrutinise every process for efficiency. One area is moving into sharper focus: construction site logistics. Because when materials are missing, the entire operation comes to a standstill — with costly consequences.

This is precisely where specialised express logistics comes in. "The complexity of construction site delivery is frequently underestimated," explains Timm Trede, CEO of digital logistics company zipmend. "Our drivers report situations where unloading cannot take place because the only crane is occupied with other work for hours on end. Or replacement parts go missing after delivery because they end up buried under fresh rubble and are forgotten."

Industry experts describe delivery to the construction site as the greatest challenge in the entire supply chain. The sector has coined the term 'last-mile ignorance' — the false assumption that the driver will somehow get the material to the point of installation. Trede confirms: "Construction sites are often on difficult terrain, without a fixed goods reception area and sometimes without a paved access road."

Modern construction logistics providers have recognised these problem areas. At zipmend, for example, deliveries are tailored to the specific conditions of each construction site. "We clarify in advance exactly where the delivery should take place, whether a telephone notification is required and which vehicle types can actually access the site," says Trede. "Sometimes a vehicle with a tail lift is needed. Sometimes we have to drive along a narrow farm track just to reach the site."

In an industry where material costs and transport logistics account for a substantial share of total costs, every optimisation becomes a competitive advantage. And at a time when construction projects are becoming ever more complex, reliable express logistics is no longer a luxury — it is a necessity.

Press contact:

Timm Trede
press@zipmend.com