How companies secure their supply chains by sourcing directly from China
Companies that buy directly from Chinese manufacturers enjoy substantial cost savings, compared to going through local distributors and big box stores.
But there are other major advantages. Companies who do so are assured of new supply, even during times of supply chain stress.
In the construction industry, strong storms and other natural disasters result in acute shortages of materials needed to rebuild.
Globally, the industry suffers from a severe lack of construction supplies and materials, and despite soaring demand for tens of millions of new homes, builders cannot bid for jobs without those supplies on hand.
China's industrial trade fairs attract tens of millions of visitors a year, many from abroad. Tariffs and freight charges are surprisingly irrelevant in most of their sourcing decisions.
Closing scene, Canton Fair Complex, Guangzhou
Resources and links:
Are higher construction materials prices the new normal?
https://www.bcis.co.uk/insight/are-higher-construction-materials-prices-the-new-normal/
Why are construction material prices rising?
https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/why-are-construction-material-prices-rising-14-05-2026/
The Battle for Recovery Supplies Is On in a Disaster-Strewn America
https://www.wsj.com/business/the-battle-for-recovery-supplies-is-on-in-a-disaster-strewn-america-46d191bf
Construction Costs on the Rise: Unpacking the PPI Price Surge
https://news.constructconnect.com/construction-costs-on-the-rise-unpacking-the-ppi-price-surge
IFC Scaling Housing Finance in Africa
https://www.ifc.org/content/dam/ifc/doc/2024/scaling-housing-finance-in-africa-factsheet.pdf
LATIN AMERICA RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE MARKET SIZE & SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS AND FORECAST (2026 - 2031)
https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/residential-real-estate-market-in-latin-america
Latin America will need to build 100,000 homes per day until 2030 to meet housing demand, warns the World Bank
https://inmobiliario.do/en/latin-america-will-have-to-build-100-000-homes-a-day-until-2030-to-meet-housing-demand-warns-the-world-bank/
Insight: The Top 5 Global Construction Markets
https://www.oxfordeconomics.com/resource/insight-the-top-5-global-construction-markets/
The World’s Largest Consumer Markets in 2030
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/the-worlds-largest-consumer-markets-in-2030/
https://www.china-toy-expo.com/en
https://www.chinabizgateway.com/china-trade-fairs-2026/auto-china-2026-beijing
