Building backlog

Concrete block manufacturers across Barbados are between a rock and a hard place as they struggle to supply the heightened demands of an emerging building boom.

Investigations by Barbados TODAY revealed that the situation has triggered an apparent delay in some projects being able to move ahead expeditiously.

And with a string of other capital works projects announced by the Government yet to get off the ground, block makers fear they could be even more overwhelmed when these major construction projects start.

Added to this, major repairs to critical machinery at some plants have not helped to make matters any easier.

“We have a surplus of orders right now…the orders are overwhelming in terms of the number at this time when the machine can only make so much. We are pushing our production, but the quantity we make today might not meet what is in demand right now, and all block companies at this time are having the same challenges,” Block and Tile Products Managing Director Michael Broome told Barbados TODAY.

“Between that, you would have your breakdowns and different little setbacks with the machinery. That would cause the production to be hindered sometimes,” Broome added.

The construction industry executive described the present situation as bittersweet in that while there is no shortage of business, it is difficult to meet all his customers’ needs.

Building industry being overwhelmed as a result of critical shortages. (File picture)

“It is bittersweet, but you try to do what you have to do. Obviously, some people would be disappointed in terms of not getting the blocks when they want them. We have a few customers who are accustomed to calling when the contractor says ‘I want blocks tomorrow’ and they call the same day and realise this is not happening,” the bock manufacturer pointed out.

Broome said this creates a one to two-week waiting period.

“It is not like before where you can call the same day or even the next day and say you want to get a load of blocks,” the business leader explained.  He contended that when the bigger companies are having challenges, it becomes evident that the demand is “extremely” high.

“We did not have this type of demand since 2005/2007 when the real building boom was established, and you know that there was a building boom. I believe we are heading towards that in terms of that type of climate or environment,” Broome declared.

Management of Rayside Construction Limited said the spike in demand for blocks caught the company by surprise forcing it to extend its production time.

“We have increased our production time in order to try to meet that demand. That would include, from time to time, an hour or two on evenings and working on Saturdays or Sundays. We would not do that too often, but if required, we would work on weekends. It is still a tall ask,” Operations Manager Curtis Rayside revealed. “The increased demand was quick… a snap of the finger type of thing. It was very quick. I would not say it was gradual…I would say it probably surprised all of us,” Rayside stated.

The operations manager admitted that the company was not managing the situation as it would have liked.

“The demand is still overwhelming. We are in a position of catching up. We have to be particular, based on demand, what and how we produce the varying sizes,” the building sector leader said.

In light of the challenges, he showered praise on his staff for their commitment to helping the business “weather” the ongoing challenges and keep the company afloat.

Ready Mix Limited, one of the larger concrete block manufacturers in the island, is also hard-pressed to keep up with the demand.  Operations Manager Sean Downey said a recent breakdown of one of its plants had a significant impact on its ability to satisfy client demand.

“One of our plants was down and then you had a situation where some of the guys were out with COVID. But we are back on stream. There really is not a shortage, you just got a lot of work going on and a lot of orders in,” Downey said. According to him, the company should be “back on top of things” in another two weeks.

“We have blocks on the yard now and we have orders for the blocks. It’s just trying to get out the orders right now to the customers because there is a lot of construction going on right now and we are just trying to get out the orders to the customers,” the Ready Mix boss pointed out.

Top officials of Arthur’s Building Materials are also seeing a major rise in demand for concrete blocks.

“I would say yes, I have seen a great demand. However, because my machine was on repairs, it caused a backlog. You make one kind of block at a time. The demand was really great for the 8-inch blocks. So what I usually do is to keep on the 8 inch mold for about two weeks, and then I might switch to 6s,” said Milton Arthur, owner of Arthur’s Building Materials.

He also lamented that he has a second block-making machine which is not in use because he can’t find willing, committed and qualified workers to operate it.

He said if it were functioning, it would ease the supply pressure because the two would be producing about 14,000 blocks per day.

“I’m getting back there though,” the business owner assured. (EJ)