When Supply Chains Crack: How Suffolk County Masonry Contractors Can Build Fortress-Strong Material Procurement in 2024’s Turbulent Market

The construction industry in 2024 has faced a perfect storm of supply chain disruptions that continue to challenge contractors across Long Island and beyond. For U.S. construction firms, prices remain high due to ongoing materials shortages and high costs of logistics and labor, while global conflicts are adding in new levels of volatility and risk. As the fourth anniversary of COVID-19’s arrival in the U.S. nears, contractors are still dealing with challenges around materials pricing and availability.

For masonry contractors in Suffolk County, these challenges have created both obstacles and opportunities. Industry revenue has been decreasing at a CAGR of 2.7% over the past five years to total an estimated $32.9 billion, including an estimated increase of 2.8% in 2024. Higher costs and slower construction times are hammering the growth of masonry work. However, contractors who adapt their procurement strategies can not only survive but thrive in this challenging environment.

Understanding the Current Supply Chain Landscape

The year 2024 has brought unique disruptions that masonry contractors must navigate. The Red Sea Crisis, spanning late 2023 to early 2024, stands out as one of the most impactful global supply chain disruptions in recent history. Triggered by escalating geopolitical tensions, the crisis led to blockades along the Red Sea and Suez Canal—key arteries responsible for approximately 15% of global trade. Shipping delays stretched to an average of 10-14 days, while rerouting vessels through longer paths, such as the Cape of Good Hope, drove shipping costs up.

Pre-pandemic, materials such as steel and timber could be had within two to four weeks. Today, those same materials can take 12 to 16 weeks to arrive. For masonry contractors, this means traditional just-in-time procurement strategies are no longer viable, requiring a fundamental shift in how materials are sourced and managed.

Key Challenges Facing Masonry Contractors

Several specific challenges are impacting masonry contractors in Suffolk County and throughout Long Island:

• Extended Lead Times: 2024 saw persistent challenges with long lead times for critical equipment, including generators over 3,000 kW facing lead times of up to 130 weeks globally and medium voltage transformers averaging 43 to 47 weeks in lead time.
• Material Price Volatility: While prices for most commodities have stabilized, the fluctuating price of metals remains a concern. Copper and aluminum prices are higher than they were in 2023 due to issues with supply, raw material availability and import costs.
• Labor Shortages: According to Browning, the construction industry’s biggest supply chain challenge is the availability of manpower, both skilled and unskilled. The construction industry needs to recruit more than half a million workers to meet demand, according to Associated Builders and Contractors.

Building Resilient Procurement Strategies

Successful masonry contractors are implementing several key strategies to build resilience into their material procurement processes:

1. Diversify Your Supplier Base

Expanding the supplier base reduces reliance on single sources, helping to manage risks associated with supply chain disruptions or geopolitical challenges. Rather than depending on a single supplier for critical materials like brick, stone, or concrete products, contractors should develop relationships with multiple vendors across different geographic regions.

2. Implement Technology Solutions

Investing in technology solutions – such as construction software – helps improve visibility, traceability and efficiency in managing the construction supply chain. These tools provide real-time data, streamline processes and facilitate better decision-making. Modern procurement platforms can provide early warning systems for potential disruptions and help contractors make more informed purchasing decisions.

3. Strategic Inventory Management

Due to the challenges listed above, there is a growing trend of builders developing proactive plans for procuring materials. This includes evaluating current vendors, considering new options and joining purchasing programs to help increase purchasing power. Contractors should consider maintaining strategic inventory levels of critical materials, balancing carrying costs against the risk of project delays.

4. Strengthen Local Partnerships

Working with established local suppliers can provide significant advantages in terms of reliability and reduced transportation costs. Companies like Mason Supply Suffolk County represent the type of local partnership that can provide stability in uncertain times. Powerhouse Mason Supply is a proud, family-owned business that has been serving Long Island and the Boroughs for 25+ years. Our mission is to provide personable customer service, top quality construction materials and expert advise at competitive prices.

The Local Advantage: Working with Established Suffolk County Suppliers

Local suppliers offer several advantages that can help contractors build more resilient supply chains. Our family comes from generations of masons so we are extremely knowledgeable on design and application of products. You can count on our staff to help guide you through your project and answer all of your questions. This type of expertise can be invaluable when navigating material substitutions or addressing supply shortages.

We have two locations which are located in Roslyn Heights (Nassau County) and Amityville (Suffolk County). Having multiple local distribution points reduces transportation risks and provides backup options if one location experiences disruptions.

Future-Proofing Your Procurement Strategy

Looking ahead, contractors should prepare for continued volatility in the supply chain environment. According to A.P. Moller-Maersk, more than 76% of European shippers saw supply chain disruption throughout 2024. Almost a quarter counted more than 20 disruptive incidents, and 1 in 3 subsequently had difficulty securing materials necessary for production.

Monitoring commodity trends, such as fluctuating costs of materials, can help contractors make informed decisions on when and how to purchase materials. Leveraging price drops strategically can reduce costs, while also noting that price changes due to tariffs are excluded from proposals.

Conclusion

The supply chain disruptions of 2024 have fundamentally changed how masonry contractors must approach material procurement. The industry has adjusted to the new reality, but it’s still delicate in some areas. Success in this environment requires a combination of strategic planning, technology adoption, supplier diversification, and strong local partnerships.

Contractors who embrace these changes and build resilient procurement strategies will not only weather current challenges but position themselves for long-term success. While commodity prices have largely stabilized in 2024, fluctuating metal costs and ongoing procurement challenges continue to test the construction industry’s resilience. Still, proactive planning and strategic investments can help contractors prepare for the year ahead.

By working with established local partners, implementing modern procurement technologies, and maintaining strategic flexibility in supplier relationships, Suffolk County masonry contractors can build the resilient supply chains necessary to thrive in an increasingly complex global marketplace.