By Roy Mulcahy – Commercial Director, INC UAE
In today’s complex and fast-evolving construction environment, securing the timely delivery of materials is no longer a matter of efficiency, it’s a fundamental pillar of successful project execution. Across the Middle East, where ambitious timelines and high-specification expectations define many developments, the traditional procurement model is under increasing pressure. Delaying key purchasing decisions can result in missed deadlines, uncontrolled cost escalations, and strained client relationships.
As a contractor actively delivering large-scale fit-out and construction projects across the Middle East and Africa, INC Group has witnessed the growing impact of external global forces on local delivery. Procurement can no longer be treated as a downstream function; it must be embedded early in the project life cycle, aligned closely with design development and programme planning.
Here’s why early procurement is no longer optional:
Volatility in Global Supply Chains
In recent years, international sourcing has become significantly more unpredictable. From European timber and Italian marble to specialised electrical and mechanical components, securing these materials has become more complex. Disruptions caused by geopolitical instability, export restrictions, and production backlogs can limit availability with little warning.
By engaging procurement early, contractors are better positioned to place firm orders before markets tighten, or suppliers reprioritise allocations to other regions. In a global environment where demand often outpaces supply, acting early is the most effective way to maintain control.
Uncertainty in Freight and Logistics
The reliability of international freight routes has deteriorated due to global tensions and shifting geopolitical dynamics. The Red Sea, once a standard trade corridor for goods entering the Gulf, has become less dependable, leading to vessel rerouting, longer transit times, and cost premiums.
Early procurement enables contractors to mitigate such risks by factoring in extended shipping durations, reserving container slots in advance, and avoiding peak congestion periods. When logistics are confirmed early, site sequencing can proceed with greater confidence.
Improved Cost Management
Early engagement with suppliers allows both the contractor and client to stabilise costs before price fluctuations take hold. Commodity prices, freight charges, and foreign exchange rates have proven highly volatile. Waiting too long to procure key items can expose projects to financial strain through escalating post-contract variations.
Securing prices earlier in the project life cycle also provides a clearer commercial framework, supporting better cash flow planning and helping contractors maintain margin integrity.
Protecting Programme Milestones
Modern construction schedules are often compressed, leaving minimal tolerance for delay, particularly on projects involving bespoke finishes or imported systems. Critical path activities can be severely impacted by the late arrival of long-lead items such as air handling units, switchgear, specialist furniture, decorative lighting, or imported floor finishes.
Aligning procurement timelines with the early stages of design ensures that these long-lead elements are identified and secured in advance, preserving programme certainty and reducing the need for costly re-sequencing or provisional workarounds.
Strengthening Client Confidence
Clients and developers today expect certainty of cost, of timeline, and of outcome. A contractor who proactively addresses procurement risk from the outset is better equipped to offer this assurance. Transparent engagement with the supply chain and early commitment to key packages demonstrate foresight, discipline, and risk management competence.
This approach not only safeguards project outcomes but also fosters trust and long-term relationships with clients and consultants.
In a region defined by rapid development and high delivery expectations, early procurement is more than a risk mitigation tool, it’s a strategic enabler. It allows contractors to take control of volatile variables and shift from reactive problem-solving to proactive planning.
At INC Group, we collaborate closely with our design teams, supply chain partners, and client stakeholders to secure critical packages at the earliest feasible stage. This forward-thinking procurement model supports smoother site execution, clearer cost tracking, and stronger overall delivery outcomes.