Equipment supply

Equipment supply Construction Equipment.jpg ‘Supply’ is the flow of resources used to satisfy a demand, such as materials, labour, information and skills – from a supplier to a user or consumer. Equipment supply – in a construction sense – is the flow of equipment from a supplier to a site with the aim of facilitating the construction process. For example, the supply of an excavator to help dig the foundations, or a crane to lift heavy materials. Very broadly, the term ‘equipment’ generally refers to apparatus that is used for specific purposes, e.g pumps are used to pump water, angle grinders are used to cut through hard materials. This is as opposed to individual tools such as screwdrivers, hammers and trowels which are instruments that are generally used by hand. Usually, a contractor or sub-contractor orders the equipment from a supplier to complete a particular task. Because construction equipment can be very costly, and because it may sometimes be needed by a contractor or sub-contractor for only small duration during the year, it may be financially advantageous to hire the equipment only for the period it is required. This is not only cheaper for the contractor but also means the equipment does not require storage. Also, hiring the equipment means the contractor does not have to maintain it.