ABSTRACT
When a high percentage of the site construction work was carried out by the main contractor using directly employed labour, the control of stock, or lack of it, was a significant issue. The contractors still have to appreciate the implications of stock control as they have to procure materials and components for labour-only subcontractors and they can also be the subcontractor on a large contract. The contractors still have to appreciate the implications of stock control as they have to procure materials and components for labour-only subcontractors and they can also be the subcontractor on a large contract. It is necessary to categorise materials into different types, as they require different treatments in the way they are managed and controlled. To fully appreciate the subject of stock control it is necessary to start at the manufacturing stage and understand that manufacturers of different materials produce their output in a variety of ways that in turn can affect the purchaser's requirements.
