The role of logistics in materials management and control: lessons from the Danish house-building sector

The logistics concept was initially developed within the manufacturing industry and now constitutes an important management tool to ensure an overall strategic perspective on the flow of materials in the production process. This paper contends that this concept is also relevant to the construction industry, and describes the development of logistics methods to manage the flow of materials from suppliers to installation on-site, and its application to a Danish housing project. The case study evidence suggests that the focal points of logistics concepts are the interfaces between parties, exchange of information and the development across project organisational boundaries based on partnering-type arrangements. The management of the flow of materials from the logistics point of view also requires early planning of the selection of materials, and in more detail, than is required in the traditional approach to materials procurement.