Globalization has made value chains and the flow of goods increasingly complex and vulnerable to disruptions. Supply chains are dynamic and flexible – sometimes goods come from one place, sometimes from another. But value creation involves more than just the movement of physical goods. It includes innovative technologies, digital competencies, transparent business processes, and assured quality through third-party supervision.
According to a survey by the German Association for Materials Management, Purchasing and Logistics (BME), in 2020, half of the companies surveyed experienced at least five disruptions in their supply chains. These disruptions highlight the growing importance of supply chain resilience – not only for Germany but globally.
Germany imports between 20–30% of its wood, indicating that a significant portion of the material used in the German wood construction industry comes from abroad. This impacts value chains and underscores the need for standardized quality processes, such as those offered by the Federal Quality Association for Modular and Prefabricated Construction (BMF) through the RAL quality assessment and Quality Mark (RAL Gütezeichen).
To strengthen value chains, German and Estonian companies should work together with policymakers to identify critical resources, such as raw materials, supply products, digital infrastructures, and key technologies, and develop strategies to secure them. This also includes utilizing transparent systems and certifications, like the RAL Quality Mark, in wood construction and the production of raw timber elements. Such systems enable companies to collaborate more efficiently while ensuring quality across the entire value chain.
While it is widely known what end products and services are exported and imported, the question arises: how much of the total export value reflects the value created domestically – for example, in Germany or Estonia? In some export goods, a large portion of the value comes from imported raw materials or components needed for production. However, in wood construction, such as the production of timber elements and wooden houses in Estonia, most of the added value is generated locally. This is always done in compliance with European quality standards, which require transparent and traceable production processes.
When German companies source components from neighboring countries, such as Estonia, the Baltics, or Scandinavia, it's crucial that these processes run smoothly. Each component of the value chain needs to function seamlessly: the sourced materials must comply with stringent standards, and business processes should be transparent enough to monitor every phase, from timber procurement through processing to final assembly. Only this way can quality and trust in the entire supply chain be sustainably ensured.
Why Are Quality Standards Important for Production and Services?
The German industry is under constant pressure: new market demands and changing frameworks, concepts such as near-shoring and friend-shoring, require a high level of flexibility. Here, clear measures from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) are crucial:
- Better collaboration through common standards and rules: Uniform standards promote cooperation across the entire supply chain.
- Expanding production capabilities: Efficient use of new approaches like collaborative production and flexible production systems.
- Smart use of technology: Employ digital tools to optimize production processes and implement alternative solutions more quickly.
One important tool to ensure these quality standards in wood construction is the RAL Quality Mark, which has been recognized in Germany for more than 50 years. It includes various RAL quality certifications, particularly in the field of wooden house construction and raw timber element production.
What is RAL? RAL is best known for its color system, which is widely used to standardize colors across various industries. Whether it's for wall paints or choosing the right color for furniture, RAL color charts are a familiar sight. The RAL Quality Marks, established in 1925, signal particularly high product and service quality to consumers, businesses, and public contractors. Companies that use the RAL quality assessment and Quality Mark voluntarily commit to ethical and exemplary conduct, taking responsibility for their products and services, and thus becoming reliable partners for consumers.
Why is the RAL Quality Mark Important in Wood Construction?
The RAL Quality Mark ensures that business processes remain seamless and adaptable to changing market demands. While many certifications are complex and challenging to manage, the RAL Quality Mark is relatively straightforward, practical, and exceeds basic regulatory standards. Companies in countries like Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, or Scandinavia benefit from external experts at inspection bodies. These experts indirectly support the optimization of internal processes, documentation, and improvement of value chains, ultimately leading to sustainable growth.
In contrast, the Ü mark (compliance mark) in wood construction represents the regulatory minimum standard. More information on the Ü mark can be found in a previous article here.
RAL Quality Marks in "Wooden House Construction" and "Raw Timber Element Production"
In the field of raw timber element production (also known as prefabrication), wall, ceiling, or roof elements are pre-fabricated and can, for example, be made available to other quality mark users. Wooden house construction involves the production of wooden buildings in various styles. The RAL Quality Mark ensures that these processes run efficiently and meet high-quality standards in every step of the value chain – a crucial aspect to remain competitive in an increasingly globalized market and to secure supply chain flexibility.
In conclusion, the RAL Quality Mark in wood construction not only ensures the quality of building products and processes, but also plays a central role in creating new, transparent, and efficient value chains. Companies that use the RAL Quality Mark (Gütesicherung) in "Raw Timber Element Production" or "Wooden House Construction" guarantee builders and consumers the highest quality standards and transparency in all phases of production – from the factory to the construction site. In a globalized world where supply chains are becoming more complex, this certification offers companies across Europe the opportunity to remain competitive both nationally and internationally as well as enter into new business relationships more quickly.
Especially in the collaboration between German and Estonian companies, the RAL Quality Mark can play a crucial role in ensuring smooth trade relations and the adherence to the highest standards in the construction industry. It opens doors to new partnerships, supports sustainable value creation, and strengthens consumer and contractor confidence in product and process quality.
In the next article (Part 2), we will describe the RAL certification process in wood construction and outline the specific steps companies must take to obtain this coveted quality mark.
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