Facilities management providers rely on a dependable network of contractors and building materials suppliers to keep properties safe, compliant and operational. New research from Atradius, reported by PBC Today, suggests that protecting those relationships will be particularly important this winter, with 92% of Irish building materials firms concerned that late payments could affect their business. For FM teams managing maintenance programmes, repairs and building upgrades, the findings highlight an opportunity to make supplier resilience a more visible part of contract management.

The outlook is not entirely cautious. Atradius’ research indicates that building materials firms expect revenue to rise by 41% and profits by 42% compared with their busiest trading period. Yet optimism about sales does not necessarily translate into available working capital. Only 27% of surveyed firms regularly monitor customer payment behaviour, while 33% have reviewed cashflow forecasts and 22% have built up cash reserves. These findings suggest that payment practices can influence suppliers’ ability to plan, purchase materials and manage their commitments, even when demand remains strong.

Cost pressures add another consideration for FM buyers. The Central Statistics Office’s June 2026 Wholesale Price Index recorded a 3.1% annual increase in construction product prices and a 42.2% rise in wholesale electricity prices. Against this backdrop, suppliers may have less room to absorb unexpected costs or prolonged payment cycles. For facilities managers, maintaining realistic budgets and understanding the financial health of critical contractors can help support more reliable delivery of planned and reactive maintenance.

There is also a practical opportunity to strengthen commercial relationships through better payment planning. Reviewing invoice approval processes, resolving disputes promptly, agreeing clear payment milestones and communicating anticipated delays can give suppliers greater certainty. Ireland’s Prompt Payment Code encourages businesses to pay suppliers within agreed terms, supporting a culture of payment certainty. For FM providers and their clients, dependable payment processes can form part of a broader approach to supplier partnership and continuity planning, rather than being treated as an administrative task alone.

Resilient facilities management depends not only on selecting capable suppliers, but also on creating the commercial conditions in which they can deliver consistently. By combining clear payment processes with forward planning and open communication, FM leaders can strengthen supplier relationships and help protect service continuity through winter and beyond.