Navigating Supply Chain Challenges for Island Construction Projects

Construction on Martha’s Vineyard comes with its own set of unique challenges. As a remote island with limited access to suppliers, the construction industry is particularly vulnerable to supply chain disruptions. From material shortages to transportation delays, to lack of boat vehicle reservation availability, these issues can impact project timelines and budgets, making careful planning essential to success. In this journal entry, we’ll explore how supply chain disruptions affect construction on Martha’s Vineyard and how our company mitigates these challenges through strategic planning and strong local partnerships (some of which take years to build!). Thankfully, at MV Construction, our partnerships with such suppliers have been established for well over 50 years.

The Impact of Supply Chain Disruptions on Martha’s Vineyard

The construction industry worldwide has faced significant supply chain challenges in recent years due to factors like global demand fluctuations, labor shortages, and transportation bottlenecks. However, these challenges are amplified for an island community like Martha’s Vineyard, where access to construction materials and resources is more limited than in mainland areas. Below are some of the key ways supply chain issues affect island construction projects:

1. Limited Availability of Materials

Unlike mainland projects where materials can be sourced from a variety of suppliers nearby, custom construction on Martha’s Vineyard relies heavily on materials that must be transported via ferry or shipped from off-island suppliers. This dependency creates delays when global supply chains are disrupted, as it can take significantly longer to replenish essential materials like lumber, concrete, steel, specialty tile, custom windows or skylights and fixtures.

Additionally, fluctuations in material availability can cause price increases, making it difficult for both contractors and clients to maintain budgets. A delay in receiving one critical material can also create a domino effect, causing hold-ups for other project stages such as framing, electrical, or plumbing work. Custom windows ordered and then delayed in shipment from Germany, for instance, can cause a complete standstill in a project schedule due to the fact that windows are a critical path item in the schedule of a custom construction project.

2. Transportation and Logistics Bottlenecks

Transporting materials to Martha’s Vineyard demands precise coordination, often involving multiple steps. Materials are first sent to mainland shipping points, then loaded onto ferries, and finally delivered to job sites. This process leaves little room for error. When ferry schedules are disrupted—whether by bad weather or

high demand—shipments can be delayed by days or even weeks. The island’s reliance on a limited number of ferry and freight services makes construction projects particularly vulnerable to such setbacks.

Our team at Martha’s Vineyard Construction Company, experienced this firsthand this year when a skylight delivery was delayed due to poor planning on the part of the manufacturer. The shipper waited in the standby lane at the Steamship Authority terminal in Woods Hole for over six hours, hoping to board a ferry because the window company failed to book him a boat in advance. When he did not succeed to get on a boat that day, he turned around and drove all the way back to the factory in New York City. Unfortunately, the window manufacturer then rescheduled the delivery for three weeks later, pushing our timeline back even further.

At that point, as the company’s owner, I stepped in. I reminded them that they’d had seven weeks of advance notice to plan the truck’s ferry reservation. I firmly advised them to return the following day and ensure the reservation was made properly. Thankfully, they did, and we were able to deliver the skylight on time, sparing the client from bearing the weight of that bad news and us from giving it!

This incident underscores just how critical it is to have a well-coordinated logistics plan when working on Martha’s Vineyard.

During the busy tourist season, these challenges are heightened as ferries prioritize passenger vehicle traffic, which can result in further delays for construction deliveries.

3. Supplier Shortages and Long Lead Times

Global events like the COVID-19 pandemic, trade disputes, and natural disasters have all caused long lead times for critical construction materials. Items like appliances, windows, doors, and specialty finishes often require custom orders, which can take several months to arrive under normal circumstances. On Martha’s Vineyard, these delays are even more pronounced, as suppliers often allocate fewer resources to remote locations, prioritizing larger markets instead.

How We Mitigate Supply Chain Challenges

Despite these hurdles, our company has developed strategies to navigate supply chain disruptions and keep projects on track. By focusing on proactive planning, resource management, and local partnerships we have cultivated over the past 50 plus years, we minimize delays and ensure that clients receive high-quality results. Here’s how we do it:

1. Early Procurement and Advanced Planning

One of the most effective ways we mitigate supply chain disruptions is by ordering critical materials as early as possible. During the project planning phase, we work closely with clients to finalize designs and specifications, allowing us to place orders for long-lead-time items well in advance. This strategy helps us avoid delays caused by last-minute changes or material shortages.

Additionally, we create detailed construction schedules that account for potential delays in material delivery. By building in extra lead time for key materials, we reduce the risk of project slowdowns and ensure that each phase of construction proceeds smoothly.

2. Diversifying Suppliers

Rather than relying on a single supplier, we maintain relationships with multiple vendors on both the mainland and the island. This diversified approach gives us more flexibility to source materials from alternative suppliers if our primary vendor experiences delays. We also work with suppliers who understand the logistical challenges of island construction and are willing to prioritize timely deliveries.

Our team regularly communicates with suppliers to monitor inventory levels and shipping schedules, allowing us to stay ahead of potential bottlenecks.

3. Partnering with Local Businesses

Local partnerships are a cornerstone of our approach to managing supply chain challenges. We collaborate with local suppliers, craftspeople, and tradespeople who have deep experience working on Martha’s Vineyard. By sourcing materials like stone, lumber, and appliance products locally whenever possible, we reduce our dependency on off-island supply chains.

These local relationships also help us address unforeseen issues more efficiently. For example, if a shipment is delayed, local partners can often provide temporary alternatives or assist with expedited logistics, minimizing downtime on the job site.

4. Inventory Management and Storage Solutions

To further mitigate disruptions, we maintain a stock of essential materials and tools in secure storage facilities. This approach allows us to quickly access commonly used items, such as fasteners, lumber, and basic hardware, without waiting for off-island shipments. For larger projects, we may also arrange temporary on-site storage to ensure that critical materials are readily available when needed.

By having backup inventory on hand, we can continue progress on key tasks even if a material delivery is delayed.

5. Emphasizing Communication and Transparency

Clear communication with clients is essential in managing expectations around supply chain challenges. We provide regular updates on project timelines, material availability, and any potential risks that could impact the schedule. This transparency allows clients to make informed decisions and understand the proactive steps we are taking to keep their projects on track.

Additionally, we maintain open lines of communication with suppliers, transport companies, and subcontractors, ensuring that everyone involved in the project is aligned and prepared to address logistical challenges.

Looking to the Future: Adapting to a Changing Industry

As the construction industry continues to evolve, supply chain management will remain a critical focus for island-based projects. Innovations in technology, such as AI-powered logistics planning and predictive analytics, may help contractors better anticipate and respond to disruptions in the future. In the meantime, our company remains committed to finding creative solutions, investing in local partnerships, and staying adaptable in the face of changing circumstances.

At the heart of every successful construction project is a commitment to problem-solving and collaboration. By taking a proactive approach to supply chain management, we ensure that our clients on Martha’s Vineyard receive the high-quality craftsmanship and timely results they deserve—despite the challenges of working on an island.

Are you planning a construction project on Martha’s Vineyard? Contact us and your local architect today to learn more about how we can help you navigate the unique challenges of island construction.