Mastery of logistics allows for just-on-time product delivery at University Pointe in Portland

Construction projects tend to be complex enough when the job site is wide open. But try building a 16-story dorm in the heart of a crowded urban campus, and that complexity is increased exponentially. That was the case when Portland State University and American Campus Communities, a student housing developer, got together to build a new 282-unit housing complex.

Because the job site was so tight, American Direct’s staffers used a sophisticated just-in-time delivery system for all product to ensure none of the area’s precious room was wasted. Because there was absolutely no storage on site, American Direct Director of Project Management Monica Bowmaker scheduled phased product delivery. The company found a third-party warehouse where all shipments could be delivered for staging, and then arranged for the material to be trucked to job site by floor and product type. Working closely with Iosco Trucking Company and the contractor, American Direct ensured that supplies were delivered just when installers needed them — and no sooner.

“The warehouse we used for storage was about 25 minutes from the job site, so it was critical that when we knew we had a window of opportunity for delivery, we were able to rely on Iosco to be there on time,” Bowmaker said. “It went extremely well.”

University Pointe opened to students in August 2013 and quickly became a Portland State favorite as new students enjoyed the benefits of living on campus with urban transportation and big city amenities at their doorstep — an opportunity that wouldn’t have been possible without the close collaboration of the contractor and suppliers like American Direct.