Jul 94 min read

Unveiling the Insights of the Off-Site Construction Industry: A Deep Dive into Supply Chain Strategies

Hello, and welcome to Offsite DIRT. I am thrilled to bring individuals here to discuss supply chain solutions, and today we have an exceptional guest who is a strategic digital supply chain advisor. Dyci Sfregola and I had the pleasure of meeting at the World of Modular, and I was immensely impressed by her panel discussion on women in the industry, her extensive knowledge, and her unique perspective on the marketplace. As we know, supply chain plays a crucial role in manufacturing and building, and understanding it deeply is key.

Meet Our Expert: Dyci Sfregola

Dyci initially thought she would go into public policy and international affairs during college. Dyci explains she was passionate about education development and global development and even started a nonprofit organization focused on teacher development and training programs.

However, she realized that to sustain such initiatives, financial resources were essential. This realization led her from education and economic development into the world of sales and marketing. This journey took her to Europe, where she worked in PR and marketing firm for Jaguar, Land Rover, and Mazda. Eventually, she transitioned into the automotive industry and became a flight attendant, gaining diverse experiences along the way.

In 2016, Dyci encountered engineers at Jaguar, Land Rover who introduced her to fascinating technologies aimed at enhancing the human experience. This piqued her interest in engineering. Dyci's father, an electrical and systems engineer, had always encouraged her to pursue this field. Although her first degree was in liberal arts, which remains valuable as it helped her to become fluent in multiple languages, she decided to study industrial engineering.

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Transition to Industrial Engineering and Supply Chain

Industrial engineering attracted her because it blended engineering principles with business processes, focusing on optimizing the way businesses operate. During her studies, she got an internship at a Management Consultant group in Atlanta, a company specializing in digital supply chain software implementations for manufacturers and other industries like retail and consumer goods. She worked on significant projects with companies like Clorox, Chick fil A, and Lippert Components, as well as exciting startups like quip and The Black Tux.

Her journey in the supply chain field continued as she moved to a smaller boutique firm, gaining invaluable experience in configuring software, streamlining processes, enhancing communication and collaboration, and leveraging technology and data for supply chain efficiency. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 was a pivotal moment for her. Dyci decided to work independently and was fortunate to have a large network that provided ample opportunities.

One of her clients was a prefab panel manufacturer, which introduced her to the world of construction and off-site manufacturing. Dyci realized that basic supply chain frameworks were often missing in this industry, which sparked her passion for spreading knowledge about digital supply chain principles in the off-site construction sector.

AR goggles for manufacturers and construction companies for employee training and onboarding | World of Modular | U.S. annual foreign direct investment conference

Fundamentals of Digital Supply Chain in the Construction Industry

Understanding the fundamentals of digital supply chain is crucial for companies aiming to scale and improve profitability. Dyci has been conducting workshops and advising construction leaders about supply chain fundamentals and her book about digital supply chain fundamentals for construction management will be released in Q2 2025. In her interview with Offsite Dirt, Dyci explained there are three core principles that companies should consider:

Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP)

S&OP involves aligning operations execution with the sales and demand plan. Many companies, especially project-based ones, overlook forecasting and demand planning. However, even project-based supply chains should engage in scenario planning and maintain consistent communication with customers and suppliers. This proactive approach helps avoid the reactive state of constantly dealing with unexpected orders.

Strategic Procurement and Sourcing

Strategic procurement involves developing a strategy for critical materials and services, managing supplier relationships, and differentiating between transactional and strategic suppliers. Effective procurement ensures smoother operations and better preparedness for various scenarios.

Network Design and Risk Management

Network design encompasses understanding the entire supply chain network, from tier one suppliers to tier three suppliers. This knowledge allows for effective risk management by monitoring potential disruptions, such as weather events or labor strikes, and having predefined mitigation strategies in place. This proactive approach reduces the need for emergency meetings and allows for seamless execution of contingency plans.

In the digital age, leveraging AI to monitor and predict disruptions is essential. However, companies must first map out their supply chain network to enable AI to provide accurate alerts and insights.

These principles are just the beginning. Implementing and adhering to them can significantly enhance a company's supply chain efficiency, reduce risks, and improve overall profitability.

#AI #technology #supplychainnetwork #strategicprocurement #riskmanagement #networkdesign