Driving Growth in Building Supplies amid Labour's Housing Push

With the Labour Party planning to build 1.5 million homes over the next five years, this presents a significant opportunity for the building supplies industry - and you need to lay the foundation for significant growth.

But it’s not just about scaling up your operations.

Strategic inbound marketing and the right technology solutions are key in managing the intricacies of your supply chain and ensuring you take advantage of this exciting opportunity.

Key elements of Labour's housing plan

Labour’s housing initiative is a game-changer. The plan represents a monumental step in solving the housing crisis by delivering 1.5 million homes – a 50% jump from the numbers delivered by the Conservative party.

The focus? Affordable and social housing, which has been neglected for far too long.

In his speech to the Labour Party Conference, Labour Leader Keith Starmer said:

“A future must be built.”

“That’s the responsibility of a serious government. And if we continually wash our hands of this task – we all end up stuck in a rut. Just like now.”

“So it’s time to get Britain building again. It’s time to build one and a half million new homes across the country.

“Opportunities for first-time buyers in every community. New development corporations with the power to remove the blockages. New infrastructure to support families and communities to grow. Roads, tunnels, power stations – built quicker and cheaper.”

Let’s take a look at the key changes on the horizon:

Faster construction

Labour is pushing to speed up construction, which means the industry needs to quickly ramp up its capacity. This warrants a steady supply of building materials.

Planning reforms

There are significant changes afoot for the planning system. This includes reintroducing local housing targets and prioritising the development of brownfield and "grey belt" sites. These reforms are designed to cut through the red tape and get projects moving faster.

Infrastructure and sustainability

Building these homes requires major investments in infrastructure, from upgrading the electricity grid to ensuring flood protection.

Plus, with the UK’s net-zero targets in mind, there’ll be a big push for sustainable and energy-efficient materials. If you can offer compliant, eco-friendly products, your business can shine.

New towns and urban growth

Labour’s plan includes the creation of new towns and the expansion of existing urban areas. This phased development will drive demand for building supplies over time, presenting a steady stream of opportunities for your business.

What Labour’s housing plan means for your business

With Labour’s housing push, the demand for building materials is set to soar.

Yet, your sights shouldn’t be set on cranking out more products; this marks a key opportunity to innovate and manage your supply chain efficiently.

Surge in demand

It goes without saying that with 1.5 million homes in the pipeline, this will spark a huge increase in demand for materials like cement, bricks, steel, and insulation.

Therefore, you need to scale up your production and expand your distribution networks.

Diverse needs

From affordable housing to new town developments, various projects will require a wide range of materials.

If you can offer innovative, sustainable, and energy-efficient products, you’ll be in a strong position to meet these multifaceted needs.

Supply chain expansion

The spike in construction will require a more robust supply chain to ensure materials are delivered on time, across the country.

This marks an exciting opportunity for your business, with the potential for new partnerships and additional distribution centres, opening up growth opportunities.

Innovation

The surge in demand also opens the door for innovation. Whether it’s developing new products, improving existing ones, or investing in technologies that boost durability and sustainability, there’s a lot of potential to explore.

Increasing B2B sales

With large-scale projects on the rise, there’s an opportunity to build stronger relationships with key players like contractors and developers, leading to higher volumes of B2B sales.

How inbound marketing can support your company

To make your presence felt and benefit from Labour’s plans, having the right products in place is a given.

That said, in isolation, top-tier products alone won’t cut the mustard.

You need to make sure you’re visible to the right customers at the right time - and that’s where inbound marketing comes into play…

Boosting visibility

Inbound marketing helps your business show up when potential customers search for building materials. By optimising your content with relevant keywords, you position yourself as a go-to resource in the industry.

Creating targeted content

By producing informative content that addresses the specific needs of your audience, you attract high-quality leads. For instance, articles on sustainability practices or compliance with the Building Safety Act can resonate with your target market, drawing them to your brand.

Building trust

Consistently delivering valuable content helps establish your brand as a trusted authority.

Customers who view you as a reliable source are more likely to choose your products over others.

Cost-effective lead generation

Inbound marketing is a budget-friendly way to generate leads. By targeting prospects who are already on the lookout for solutions to a problem, rather than pushing out generic ads, you improve the quality of your leads and your conversion rates.

Long-term engagement

Inbound strategies, such as content marketing and SEO, keep your brand in the minds of potential customers even when they’re not actively buying.

This long-term engagement is key to securing repeat business and building customer loyalty.

How HubSpot can equip your business for Labour’s housing plan

Marketing plays a crucial role in driving business growth and generating leads, but it alone is not enough. To achieve the growth you’re aiming for, it’s essential to have the right technology in place to support and scale your marketing efforts effectively—this is where HubSpot becomes invaluable.

Ability to track customers

HubSpot offers a comprehensive solution tailored specifically to your needs, enabling you to compete more effectively in the building supplies sector.

Its centralised CRM system manages all customer interactions in one place, allowing you to track leads efficiently and personalise communications throughout the buyer's journey.

This ensures that your marketing efforts are both targeted and effective.

Simplified lead nurturing

Moreover, HubSpot’s automation tools make lead nurturing more efficient. These enable you to engage with potential customers through targeted email campaigns and send timely follow-up reminders, ensuring that no opportunity is missed.

Data-driven insights

HubSpot’s analytics tools provide real-time insights into your marketing performance.

With these insights, you can make data-driven decisions, adjust your strategies based on what’s most effective, and continually optimise your marketing efforts.

Scalable platform

HubSpot is also scalable, growing alongside your business and adapting to your evolving needs.

The platform’s flexibility includes customised workflows, allowing you to tailor processes to fit your specific sales activities. This makes it easier to manage bulk orders, monitor project progress, and ensure every aspect of your business runs smoothly.

Platform integration

HubSpot integrates seamlessly with other essential tools, such as inventory management systems and project bid platforms. This integration streamlines your operations, improves efficiency, and ensures all aspects of your business are aligned and working in unison.

Prepare for Labour’s housing plan with expert support from Axon Garside

Labour’s housing initiative is a golden opportunity for the building supplies sector. But to fully reap the rewards, you need to act now.

By adopting inbound marketing and HubSpot, you can meet the upcoming demand and set your business up for sustained growth.