United States
Podcast Episode
Ask the Expert: Construction Procurement with David Hamilton
February 20, 2026
In this Building Conversations Ask the Expert episode, David Hamilton, Senior Vice President of Construction Procurement Solutions, answers listener questions about construction procurement and the evolving strategies reshaping how projects are delivered. From industry fragmentation and supply chain complexity to direct manufacturer partnerships and technology-driven visibility, Dave explains how modern procurement approaches help reduce risk, improve cost certainty, and keep projects on schedule. Tune in to learn how smarter procurement decisions create more control, transparency, and better outcomes for clients.
Key Takeaways
- Construction procurement is about creating visibility, control, and certainty in a highly fragmented supply chain.
- Direct manufacturer partnerships help reduce risk, improve timing, and control costs.
- Technology and digitization are transforming how equipment is tracked and managed across projects.
- Strategic procurement gives clients more choices early and better control throughout project delivery.
Highlights In This Episode
The construction procurement landscape is highly fragmented, with multiple layers between manufacturers and end users. Limited historical technology adoption and market complexity create visibility and coordination challenges.
Clients should understand how their contractor approaches complex equipment purchases, manages risk, and improves visibility across cost, cash flow, and lead times.
Direct manufacturer partnerships provide greater control, clearer pricing, improved timing, and stronger strategic alignment compared to traditional procurement methods.
Digital tools and tracking platforms provide real-time visibility into equipment status, helping field teams plan with greater certainty and reducing delays.
Construction Procurement Solutions brings clients two key advantages: choices and control — offering strategic options early and managing equipment tracking, coordination, and delivery through dedicated engineering and post-award teams.
Closing Summary
This episode of Ask the Expert explores how modern construction procurement strategies are reshaping project delivery. From leveraging technology and direct manufacturer relationships to improving transparency and reducing risk, the conversation highlights how a strategic procurement approach helps clients achieve greater certainty in cost, schedule, and outcomes.
Host
David Hamilton
Senior Vice President
Construction Procurement Solutions
David has decades of experience in purchasing and estimating and served for many years as the head of purchasing for Structure Tone New York. Over that time, he not only developed critical relationships with trade partners and suppliers for New York-based clients, but he tapped into the growing STO Building Group platform to develop a comprehensive state-of-the-industry purview of the supply chain and its ongoing developments for the benefit of the entire organization and its clients.
As SVP, David continues to strengthen our relationships with the leaders of our major manufacturing partners, leveraging our position in the marketplace to assist our project teams in their execution of our clients’ projects and vision. David started his career in construction in 1994 as a quantity surveyor, having graduated with a degree in construction management from the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland. Upon receiving an opportunity to interview in the United States, David immigrated with his family in 1999 to join Structure Tone as an estimator. He continued to prove himself as a strategic thinker and problem-solver, rising to vice president of purchasing at Structure Tone New York and leading an organization-wide supply chain center of excellence before joining the STOBG leadership team.
David enjoys the challenges of his role and is highly motivated by the ever-changing dynamics of the market. Much of David’s time outside of work is devoted to his family and local church, where he serves in a leadership role.
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