The Problem Developers Face
For many lighting projects, the process used to acquire lighting is flawed. Almost all the time, compromises to the integrity of the architect’s design, the budget, or the project timeline, are unavoidable. Developers must face the fact that the traditional lighting acquisition model is outdated and ineffective.
The core problem is structural. The current setup of the supply chain is a Design-Bid-Build model that does not serve the best interests of the developers or other stakeholders involved. Lighting solutions are selected primarily on form and function, and costs are not prioritized. And as the main stakeholders, developers rarely get to review a selection of criteria that outlines the best value and showcases product costs and lead times across multiple manufacturers. Ultimately, the current Design-Bid-Build model fosters a complete lack of transparency in costs.
Everyone in the industry realizes this system is broken. Time and time again, developers have had to make unwarranted compromises on their projects, especially in the face of budget overruns. The frustration lingers, but the cycle continues. At Monterey, we believe that there’s a better way.
A Better Approach from Big Brands
With all the problems surrounding the current Design-Bid-Build model, we realized there was a smarter to acquire lighting: The Monterey Way. Not only does our approach alleviate the difficulties of the traditional process, but it allows developers to significantly save on lighting costs and avoid project delays.
The Monterey Way was created based on the methodology used by big brands when they roll out large multi-location projects. These major brands realized that by letting the local market of each location set the pricing for their lighting solutions, they ended up paying different prices for the same products and missing out on volume discounts. So after being faced with constant budget overruns, project delays, and compromises on design, these companies learned of a better way to approach lighting.
The solution was simple: bring in a lighting distributor during the design phase. With national rollouts, a lighting distributor could secure pricing options from multiple manufacturers, negotiate fixed pricing for each location, and leverage volume discounts. This shift transformed large scale commercial construction projects significantly: lighting now became a more affordable and seamless acquisition.
Turning This Approach into The Monterey Way
Monterey Lighting drew from this process and adapted it to the local market. The Monterey Way empowers developers by, essentially, giving the power back to the buyers in the supply chain. By partnering with our team during the project’s design phase, developers now have a seamless and transparent lighting procurement process that saves them 30%-40% in costs, and results in significant time savings for the design and construction teams.
Our process is simple. Once the design team is established, Monterey is appointed and empowered to represent the team as a key member of the lighting product selection process.
During the design process, Monterey supports the project team in the following ways:
- We interface with the developers, architects, and engineers to understand design intent.
- We source line-item pricing on all fixtures requested by the design team.
- We suggest alternate options and source line-item pricing from multiple manufacturers.
- We vet lead times on all products to ensure timely delivery.
- We present all options and prices to the developers and design team in a transparent manner.
- We enable the developers, construction managers, and designers to make informed decisions on the best value to achieve the design intent.
- We negotiate volume discounts and establish fixed pricing for products that may be used across multiple projects (building standards)
By acting as the key “lighting liaison”, we significantly simplify the design process, saving the developers significant money and time. However, The Monterey Way doesn’t stop there. Our support continues throughout the construction phase, and we serve as the single point of contact for all lighting related issues. Our internal processes and project management tools are designed to be best in class for providing ongoing support to the electrical contractors, general contractors, architects, engineers, and construction managers during construction.
Here is how Monterey supports the project team during the construction process:
- We attend pre-construction and construction meetings.
- We provide a single point of contact between the developers and the construction team for any plan changes during construction.
- We resolve issues quickly and effectively through direct engagement with developers and all other participants in the supply chain.
- We effectively schedule, communicate, and manage product delivery.
- We make recommendations and arrange substitutions where necessary.
In both design and construction, our services aim to eliminate any compromises to design, budget, and timeline. As a lighting distributor, we know how to navigate the convoluted supply chain to provide the best value to developers and bring significant cost savings. Our work with Teradata, Lincoln Properties, or DecisionLogic speaks to the value of The Monterey Way and our trusted partnerships.
If you’re interested in learning more about how Monterey Lighting Solutions can save you time and money on an upcoming project, please contact us today!
