Local Vs. Global: Why Sourcing Materials from China Can be More Beneficial

Global sourcing is the standard in today’s interconnected world and supply chain, especially when it comes to construction. With increasing pressure to meet unrealistic national targets and deliver quality homes all while keeping costs fair, many businesses have developed ties with suppliers who source globally.

Although the ongoing discussion against global sourcing is often sustainability concerns, the reality is far more layered than that. One of Think Timber’s key sourcing regions is China, but before you raise your eyebrows, when done responsibly and strategically, global sourcing can deliver substantial benefits. It can match—and in some cases, even exceed—the environmental and ethical standards typically associated with sourcing closer to home, from Europe.

At Think Timber, we understand sourcing smart is more than just finding materials: it’s about aligning our sustainability goals, operational effectiveness, and our overarching contribution to economic growth. By sourcing globally, we empower our customers to complete their projects on time, within budget, and without the need to compromise on quality.

In this blog, we take a closer look at the role China plays in our sourcing strategy. We’ll delve into the advantages it offers which are often overlooked in favour of local sourcing.

Cost-Effective Without Quality Compromise

Let’s not deny it: in the construction industry, cost plays a huge part—especially in housebuilding where every penny counts. So, keeping the cost of materials fair as a supplier is essential so the entire supply chain can achieve success. Locally sourced materials are often capped at a higher price point due to smaller-scale operations, resulting in higher per-unit costs. Our partnerships with large-scale mills across the ocean allow us to benefit from the economies of scale—a cost-effective solution—where production is vast and labour costs are low, but quality remains high. Also, China specifically has advanced shipping networks helping transportation costs stay at a minimum.

We never cut corners as a business, and this especially translates in our approach to quality. Where other suppliers may offer cheap alternatives, such as engineered timber made from poor-quality offcuts, we only supply high-quality timber products with a quality guarantee—ensuring you get exactly what it says on the tin.

Strategic Planning & Sustainability

It’s important to note global sourcing doesn’t necessarily come at the expense of sustainability. With careful planning, international supply chains can be just as environmentally responsible as local ones. For example, European imports often rely on smaller road shipments, which can be less efficient and more frequent, burning a large quantity of fuel. When it comes to shipments from China, these are usually sent in by sea, making it one of the most fuel-efficient modes of transportation.

By strategically planning ahead and forecasting our supply and demand, we are able to optimise our logistics and be more environmentally conscious as a business and for our customers.

Global Material Access & Innovation

When engaging with a global market, you’re not only witnessing a cheaper rate of product, but you also have access to a diverse selection of products. This allows us as a business to offer a broader array of timber species and engineered solutions that may not be readily available back in the UK, enabling us to meet more bespoke requirements of specific construction project specifications.

Global sourcing has resulted in the development of many strategic international relationships, and through these we are able to benefit from new innovation from China in particular, a country renowned for being ahead of the mark. Chinese mills are constantly investing heavily in their production processes, which results in high-quality products, increasing efficiency and consistency.

International Supply Partnerships

Navigating international relationships can be complex, so that’s where we step in. By already upholding the necessary partnerships, we absorb the complexities of international trade while providing you with the best quality at a low price.

It’s the sad truth, but still to this day, some timber suppliers are sourcing and selling universal endangered timber species, which now list over 8,000 tree species. We make sure all our timber comes from sustainably managed forests, and due to us only supplying for the UK market, our global partners meet UK standards and follow labour and environmental best practices. We insist on complete traceability, from source to origin; exactly which forest the timber comes from.

Rethinking Local Sourcing

The industry often assumes that locally sourced materials are inherently better, with shorter transport distances, reduced carbon emissions and faster delivery. While these can be valid benefits, local sourcing also presents challenges: limited supply, higher production costs and less innovation.

At Think Timber, we partner with the best mills, who use modern machinery, which deliver the highest quality of timber for our customers stamped with a quality guarantee. Every two to three months one of us from the Think Timber team will travel to China to personally oversee production processes, evaluate working conditions, and verify the timber’s quality, right from the source.

By sourcing our materials from trusted international suppliers, we are able to offer the UK construction industry what it needs to thrive in a competitive market: high quality timber at a fair price. If you need help with your timber supplies, email us at sales@thinktimber.co.uk