What to Know About Lead Times When Furnishing a Commercial Property

Think about the last time you received that dreaded email or call that a shipment was late. Or, have you ever gotten the news from a project manager that construction was delayed? No one wants to hear these things, because when progress halts or deadlines lapse, it hurts efficiency and reduces profit. 

That’s why, in manufacturing, we talk a lot about lead time for our products. To avoid delays, managing lead times is crucial.  

Hold on – what is lead time, anyway?

Broadly, lead time is the amount of time it takes from the start of a process until project completion. At NDC, we believe lead time begins the day we receive your order and ends when the furniture is delivered to your site.

Tips to manage lead times effectively

Good planning and communication are essential to managing lead times and deadlines. While every big project has many moving parts and could involve factors beyond your control, there are still some key actions you can take to manage lead times well:

• Start planning your project as early as possible.
• Set realistic goals and timelines. 
• Choose trusted manufacturers and contractors known for delivering on time and meeting deadlines. 
• Communicate regularly with project stakeholders. 
• Build buffer time into your schedule to account for possible and/or unavoidable delays.

Global sourcing and lead times

Sometimes people wonder whether sourcing their commercial furniture globally (as opposed to locally) will dramatically affect lead times. Naturally, lead times vary depending upon the manufacturer or supplier you work with. And yes, proximity can be one factor. However, with proactive planning, global sourcing can be as timely as domestic (if not more timely) — and as a bonus, it can be done at more reasonable rates.

At NDC, we have an established, tested, and reliable global supply chain that helps mitigate lead time issues. Fortunately, for businesses looking to thrive in a competitive market, leveraging a global supply chain like NDC’s can be the key to achieving high-quality, custom furniture solutions at reasonable costs. 

For more on this topic, check out Global Manufacturing: Is it Right for Me?

Take the worry out of lead times

If you’re involved in the design, construction, or management of commercial properties, your work is complex enough without stressing over manufacturing lead times for the furniture. Our goal is to take the stress out of lead time concerns, even in the face of unexpected challenges.

If you’re furnishing a new hotel, resort, or multi-family housing property, for example — or you’re outfitting an existing facility with new furnishings — we’ll be here to help manage lead times and keep you informed throughout the entire process, so you meet your deadlines and goals without worrying about delivery.

Ready to find out more or take the next step? Contact us today to learn how we can partner with you on your next project!