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Builders'

15th February 2007
Page 22
Page 22, 15th February 2007 — Builders'
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

erchants

causes of delay and use of time

This week's Yardstick looks at the efficiency of builders' merchants in the heavy and light materials sectors.

IN 2006 THE Department for Transport (DfT) conducted a survey on the time utilisation of builders merchants and their main causes of delays. CM looks at the findings to show you which areas of your business could benefit from improved productivity.

Because builders' merchants supply a range of materials to the construction industry, the survey was split into heavy materials and light materials. Heavy materials include bricks, blocks and aggregate, while light materials include fixtures, fittings and tools.

At first glance, the heavy and light sectors do not differ greatly in time utilisation. Both have large idle periods when the vehicles are empty and stationary, and both have driver breaks of the same length. The main difference between the two sectors is the time that preloaded vehicles spend waiting for departure; 25% in the case of light activities compared to 18% for heavy activities. This time is classed as 'productive' as the vehicles are still in use.

In terms of time utilisation there does not seem to be much of a problem, though in terms of delays the survey shows that improvements can be made. Only 34% of delays are out of the merchants' hands — in this case due to traffic congestion. Vehicle breakdowns account for 9% of all delays, yet only 2% and 7% of time is spent on maintenance and repair respectively. If more of a vehicle's idle time was spent on repair and maintenance, the 9% figure could be reduced dramatically.

Problems at the delivery point are a frequent cause of delay and cannot always be avoided. The question is whether more forward planning could solve some of the delay issues and therefore speed up the drop-off.

Last but not least, companies' own actions cause 20% of all delays. By eliminating or changing these actions where possible, you could raise your company's efficiency and improve productivity.

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Organisations: Department for Transport

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