Vikki Horn, Senior Category Manager at Pipe Centre, believes the solution to the challenges presented by the yearly estival rush for upgrades and maintenance taking place across the UK’s educational estates lies in treating logistics not as an afterthought, but as a strategic enabler.

Each year, the same challenge re-emerges across the UK’s educational estates: deliver essential repairs, upgrades and maintenance across hundreds of school sites - all within the strict six-week window of the summer holidays. It is a familiar race against time, but one that is becoming increasingly complex as demand grows, budgets tighten, and expectations around delivery precision intensify.

As suppliers and merchants, our ability to deliver materials exactly where and when they are needed – often to multiple live sites operating under safeguarding and access restrictions – is the single most important factor in ensuring summer works succeed. And that doesn’t happen by accident.

Logistics as a competitive advantage

Traditionally, logistics has been seen as a back-office function. But for those of us operating in highly time-sensitive sectors like education, it is rapidly becoming a differentiator.

To meet the unique demands of the summer works period, our logistics strategy begins well before the final bell rings in July. It starts with visibility: understanding which projects are happening, what products they will require, and when they will need them. We then work with our suppliers to ensure we can provide a welcome solution.

Also, it is worth pointing out that understanding where these projects are taking place is also key – and that is where regional intelligence becomes invaluable.

Why local intelligence matters

The education landscape is fragmented by design. Local authorities, academy trusts and MATs all operate under different timelines, approval processes and funding windows. As a national supplier, we have learned that a one-size-fits-all approach to stock and delivery simply doesn’t work.

Instead, we invest in understanding the educational rhythm of each region. Our branch teams build local relationships with schools Estate Managers, Procurement Leads and Contractors to gain early insight into upcoming works. This boots-on-the-ground knowledge allows us to tailor stock profiles for regional branches and pre-position materials where they will be needed most.

By combining this regional intelligence with our central forecasting capabilities, we are able to reduce pressure on Contractors and Project Managers, shorten lead times, and ultimately give schools the confidence that their project will complete on time.

Forecasting with purpose

Forecasting may sound like a numbers exercise – and of course, historical data plays an important role. But effective forecasting in the education sector also demands close collaboration and human judgement.

At Pipe Centre, we don’t just track product lines; we analyse patterns of behaviour. For example, if a local authority historically commissions boiler upgrades every other summer, or if a site has a policy of renewing washrooms every three years, we build those cycles into our planning.

We also engage proactively with suppliers to secure manufacturing slots and stock availability well ahead of peak season. Our forecasting model allows us to scale quickly when demand surges, but more importantly, it ensures our supply chain doesn’t become the bottleneck. That is a key distinction – and one that is increasingly recognised by contractors who rely on us to keep projects on schedule.

Meeting the headteacher deadline

Unlike other sectors, education has an immovable deadline: the first day of term. Every school must be fully operational – heating systems commissioned, water supplies tested, washrooms working – before staff and students return. Delays are not just inconvenient; they are unacceptable.

This hard deadline is why pre-planning is paramount, and our job is to bring certainty to a challenging timeline. Whether that means coordinating consolidated deliveries to rural schools with limited access, navigating safeguarding requirements for inner-city sites, or flexing delivery hours to accommodate tight windows, we are prepared to support our partners through every logistical challenge.

The role of partnership

Ultimately, the summer works rush is not just a test of supply – it is a test of partnership. Contractors, merchants and suppliers must operate as one team, united by the shared goal of project delivery. That is why Pipe Centre invests heavily in building strong local partnerships and equipping our teams with both the autonomy and tools to act quickly when timelines tighten.

We also believe transparency is critical. From real-time delivery tracking to clear lines of communication, we aim to give contractors full visibility so they can focus on delivery rather than chasing materials.

Looking ahead

The demands placed on the education estate will only grow. Climate resilience, decarbonisation, and digital infrastructure upgrades are already shaping the next wave of summer works. For merchants and suppliers, the challenge will be to continue delivering certainty in an environment that is rarely still.

At Pipe Centre, we see this as an opportunity. By treating logistics as a strategic function – built on regional intelligence, data-driven forecasting, and trusted partnerships – we can help the sector deliver more, faster, and with greater reliability.

Because when it comes to keeping Britain’s schools running, it is not just about turning up on time. It is about making sure every piece of the puzzle arrives where it is needed, exactly when it is needed – so the next generation can walk into classrooms that are safe, functional, and future-ready.