Building a resilient supply chain

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Understanding the unseen forces that keep roofing materials moving. 

The roofing industry depends on a complex and often unseen network of logistics, procurement and planning to ensure contractors have the materials they need when they need them. In this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, host Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down with USG's Senior Director of Supply Chain, Matt Sylvester and Senior Director of Procurement, Mattias Ruegge, to discuss the intricate processes and challenges of maintaining a resilient supply chain. 

"One of the critical supply chain decisions we've made is to be vertically integrated in some parts of our business," Matt said. "We control our rock supply; we control our paper supply. So those key raw materials where you need ownership, we've made those investments." Supply chains stretch far beyond what many in the industry might assume. Matt expressed that the inbound side of logistics, including securing raw materials, is often the most challenging part. He explained, "If we miss a truck or raw material and we shut a plant down, it doesn't matter if we don’t have a truck on the outbound side." 

Mattias echoed this sentiment, highlighting the complexity of procurement. "We have hundreds of suppliers with raw materials and very different things — from recycled paper, minerals, metals, additives, chemical additives and so forth," he said. "All these supply chains look very, very different." External disruptions, from natural disasters to geopolitical instability, are also a constant threat. "You can't plan for a hurricane per se, but you know they're going to come," Matt noted. "How do you mitigate that? You bring in raw materials, make sure you have healthy inventories across your network heading into those seasons." 

For contractors, understanding these dynamics can make all the difference. Strong relationships with suppliers and clear communication about upcoming jobs and material needs can ensure smoother operations. Matt advised, "If you got large jobs coming up, even if you understand that you need X amount of trucks over a certain period, getting that into our hands sooner allows us to prepare for it better."  

Read the transcript or Listen to the podcast to gain deeper insights into the ever-evolving supply chain landscape and hear firsthand from the experts managing these complexities!