Submitted by the Saskatchewan Construction Association
SupplierLink Saskatchewan is the only automated vendor engagement tool that showcases a vendor’s project experience, capability, and qualifications while connecting them to those who hire across industry. It was developed in partnership between the local construction associations, infrastructure owners, and contractors right here in Saskatchewan. SKCA members set the direction of which problems this product had to solve, and our connections with infrastructure owners told us which key features were important – because of this, SupplierLink Saskatchewan is fully endorsed by the Government of Saskatchewan and the local construction network.
Vendors build their profile; entering in basic information, scopes of work, and highlighting project experience and references (something owners requested.) Then safety certificates are added – such as COR and WCB, which are directly linked to their source, meaning they auto-renew (something contractors requested.) Infrastructure owners or general contractors can then search the database using specific filters, such as geographic areas of operation, work scope, workforce demographics, safety records, proof of insurance or bonding limits, and more – allowing them to source construction service providers based on merit (something owners and contractors requested.) The opportunities to find exactly the right contractor(s), ‘favorite’ them, solicit feedback on RFPs or access to upcoming project listings and specifications are invaluable to members and owners.
What problem does SupplierLink Saskatchewan solve?
SKCA has long advocated against the use of onerous, time-consuming, and costly third-party verification systems. “SupplierLink breaks the cycle of these systems that always demand more time, more data, more effort, and more money from contractors.” says Mark Cooper, President and CEO of the Saskatchewan Construction Association (SKCA). “All those systems are built with only the owner in mind, and the consequences for the contractor don’t matter much. SupplierLink is a much more balanced system. Built by and for industry, our platform delivers what owners really need, but does it in a way that is inexpensive for contractors and easy for them to use. You can build a profile in less than an hour and use it to connect with any buyer of your services anywhere on the system – all from one profile for one price.”
A tremendous amount of groundwork was done with infrastructure owners to maximize the success of SupplierLink. “Right from the start we engaged public sector owners by asking them to help us understand what they considered to be the key criteria for success in selecting great contractors.” Cooper states. In fact, it is that feedback that ultimately led to the search fields that SupplierLink offers today. Owners were pleased to have been a part of the development of a system to find, manage, and connect with suppliers. This is what makes SupplierLink a truly unique system.
All endeavors on members’ behalf are made to build something that helps members solve a problem they have, while making their work easier and less expensive. On the flip side, buyers of construction services that want to find contractors with specialized skills, willing to work in their area, need look no further than SupplierLink to narrow down their options to the best available choices. “With that kind of promise, at a below market price, we knew owners would be jumping on board…and so far, we’ve been right.” says Cooper, “Sask-based owners won’t be able to find a better system, with more contractors available to them, for a better price. Period. This is it, and it is awesome.”
Since SupplierLink is industry-built, the associations will continuously improve the services available, based on stakeholder feedback. The network of associations will use their province-wide membership data to enhance platform partnerships and will provide ongoing marketing and development suggestions to continue to drive more subscribers to the platforms and improve industry engagement and member value.
The Uptick So Far
“Industry engagement has been phenomenal.” says Cooper. It is expected that over 1,200 contractors will be registered with SupplierLink within 60 days of launch. “90% of all contractors we’ve met with to discuss the system have agreed to get onboarded. The remaining 10% are taking a wait and see approach, and I’m pretty sure they’ll be on here soon too.”
Looking Ahead
SKCA points out that the success to date of SupplierLink is based almost entirely on the principle of partnership. “Whether it was working with industry and owners early on to scope the project and build it out, working with EHS to build it and develop it, or working now with owners and industry to get the system populated. Partnerships have driven our success so far, and it will as we move forward” Cooper states.
For more information on SupplierLink Saskatchewan, visit www.supplierlinksk.ca.
