There’s a lot to consider as you work toward that perfect hotel design. Whether it’s a new construction or a renovation, you’re balancing deadlines and budgets, contractors and subcontractors, and vendors.
The last thing you need as a designer is a supply chain breakdown. Work stalls without the materials -- from furniture to fixtures -- to take your plan from concept to reality.
You lose time and money. Part of your job is to eliminate the risk of a delivery disaster, or at least contain it.
Here are some realities and decisions -- on your part and theirs -- that can weaken or break your supply chain.
3 SUPPLY CHAIN BREAKDOWNS YOU CAN CONTROL
1. SUDDEN ORDER CUTBACKS
Everyone in the supply chain will feel it. Your distributor was expecting to ship a certain number of products only to suffer order whiplash.
It could be difficult to regain momentum for when you do need the full shipment because the distributor and/or manufacturer may struggle with excess units idling in the warehouse and/or complete work stoppages.
2. SEVERE COST CUTTING
Anyone could understand trying to save a buck, but, simply put, your product costs money to make, distribute, and stock.
It’s the era of lean manufacturing. Eliminating a link or two in the chain makes financial sense. But cutting the fat could have a direct impact on the quantity, quality, and even availability of the products you need.
A manufacturer that can seamlessly handle each link in the supply chain is a lifesaver.
3. OVERLY LENGTHY LEAD TIMES
Time has the power to change your needs.
You may order “X” number of units for 30 days from now, but decide in 20 days you actually needed “Y.” Or you may order component “A” only to realize later you needed component “B” to make it work.
What if you’re ordering from overseas? The middle of the Atlantic is an awkward place to figure out you need less, more, or none of a shipment.
3 SUPPLY CHAIN BREAKDOWNS DISTRIBUTORS CAN CONTROL
1. RUNNING OUT OF UNITS
Whether through poor planning or an honest lack of resources, distributors can simply run out of the things you need. Manufacturers can simply not make them.
If that’s the case, your order could be altered or canceled outright. The strongest manufacturers and vendors have procedures in place to avoid this. Some even keep orders and plans on file to reproduce later at a moment’s notice.
2. INACCURATE FORECASTING
Manufacturers and vendors need a solid idea how much they need to make or supply. While orders come in, many still try to make educated guesses.
What if they’re wrong? Your supply chain again could fall victim to lacking numbers. The best prepared will have a buffer stock to accommodate the unexpected.
3. FAILING TO PROPERLY DOCUMENT SHIPMENTS
Successful inventory management depends on strict accountability. Shipments can be delayed or, in a worst-case scenario, lost in the shuffle.
You could also be overcharged or undercharged based on inaccurate estimates.
MANAGE SUPPLY CHAIN RISK
A break or disruption in the supply chain -- whatever the reason -- could spell disaster for your hotel design project.
Avert the crises of going over budget or missing deadlines by concentrating resources, having backup plans, and perhaps moving your supply chain closer to home.
