Supply Chain
Supply Chain Updates for Multifamily
July 2026
Updated July 21, 2026
Why High Fill Rates Begin with Smart Forecasting
What drives a high fill rate in supply chain management? Accurate demand forecasting — not excess inventory or oversized purchase orders. At Chadwell Supply, industry-leading fill rates start months before customers place an order, with a forecasting process that turns data into decisions.
What Is Forecasting?
Forecasting is the process of estimating future customer demand using historical sales data, seasonal trends, supplier lead times, promotions, customer buying patterns, and market intelligence.
For a multifamily MRO (maintenance, repair, operations) supplier like Chadwell Supply, forecasting determines what inventory needs to be purchased and when, so the right product is on the shelf before a customer needs it.
Every day, our Purchasing team makes thousands of these decisions. The goal is simple: keep the right product available without tying up cash and warehouse space in excess inventory.
Why Forecasting Accuracy Matters
When a forecast is accurate, the impact is visible across the entire business:
- Customers receive products on time, without delays.
- Branches spend less time searching for inventory or requesting emergency transfers.
- Distribution centers operate more efficiently.
- Sales teams can confidently commit to product availability.
- Fill rates stay high, reinforcing what sets Chadwell Supply apart from competitors.
Forecasting isn't just a Purchasing function. It is dependent upon communication and execution from every department in the company.
How Every Department Improves the Forecast
Sales: Early communication with Purchasing is one of the highest-impact ways to improve forecast accuracy. When a Sales rep is working a new major account, large project, or new service agreement, looping in Purchasing early gives the team time to prepare. Purchasing can work with vendors to secure inventory, adjust replenishment plans, and pre-position product at the right distribution centers and branches — shifting the process from reactive to proactive. The result: fewer backorders and fewer emergency shipments.
Marketing and Merchandising: Sharing upcoming promotions, campaigns, and sales events before launch allows Purchasing to secure inventory ahead of the demand spike, instead of reacting after products start selling.
Receiving Teams: Inventory sitting on a trailer or dock isn't sellable inventory. Prompt receiving gets product into the system faster, so it's available to branches and our customers as quickly as possible.
Inventory Control Teams: Accurate cycle counts and timely communication about significant inventory adjustments, in or out of stock, directly shape future purchasing decisions. Accurate records lead to more accurate forecasts.
Transfer Teams: Running complete transfer reports, pulling orders accurately, and shipping on time ensures inventory moving efficiently across our network. Delayed or incomplete transfers create unnecessary shortages.
What Does Fill Rate Really Measure?
Fill rate is one of the strongest indicators of how well an entire supply chain is performing. A high fill rate means customers get what they need without delay, backorders and emergency freight costs go down, and teams can focus on service instead of inventory questions.
At Chadwell Supply, fill rate isn't a single-department metric; it's a reflection of teamwork across Sales, Branch Operations, Distribution Centers, Suppliers, and Purchasing.
The Bottom Line
The next time you see Chadwell Supply's nearly 98% fill rate reported, know that it represents more than a percentage. It's the result of planning, sharing information, and making well-informed decisions together to ensure our customers have the products they need, when they need them.
Exceptional fill rates aren't achieved by one department — they're achieved by one collaborative team working toward a common goal, to deliver unforgettable service.
Supply Chain News by Category:
See a breakdown of product categories and specific items affected here.
