The construction industry comprises six to nine percent of the GDP for developed countries.

Construction companies will use branded hats as part of their employee uniform; with highly visible elements, the cap can easily transform into a safety feature. As a promotional item, they’re used as gifts for new and potential clients and passed out at everything from small community events to national industry conferences.

Over the next few weeks, we’re going to provide you with extended knowledge of the construction industry as it relates to promotional products, as well as offer tips to help expand your cap sales into the market.

In this guide, we will look at different types of construction companies, equipment operators, and small companies who specialize in construction or remodels, so that you will have a better understanding of how to target each.

Today, you will learn how to reach out to common decision makers in various construction sector supply chains. Next time, we’ll look at independent workers like electricians and plumbers.

Construction Industry Sectors

There are three primary categories of construction all serving different purposes within the industry—buildings, infrastructure, and industrial. Each will have a different set of clients and investors.

Buildings

Companies in this sector erect buildings for either residential or commercial use. Larger companies may specialize in both.

Residential buildings include homes, apartment buildings, duplexes, etc. Residential buildings have their own set of codes and safety measures that must be followed.

Commercial buildings are structures that will house commercial businesses like retail stores, restaurants, etc. These may be funded through local government trying to expand the city’s growth or through the businesses that will be housed in the buildings.

Large construction companies will often purchase pieces of land and build housing additions then sell each property individually.

They will either finance this endeavor through a bank or with real estate investors. Hats can be used as giveaways during meetings with potential investors as a sign of good will.

Typically with commercial buildings, the construction company will not own the land or property. They’re simply hired to complete the project.

Providing hats to influential members of the city council, the chamber of commerce, and government employees can help keep the company top of mind next time the city is in the market for a construction company.

Smaller contractors may instead build custom homes for individuals or families who own a plot of land with which to build on. In this case, caps can be given to clients as a way to say thank you, and bonus—whenever they wear them in the community, it’s free advertising for the contractor, which can lead to new business.

Infrastructure

The infrastructure sector builds things that the population will use like dams, bridges, parking garages, roads, and interstates.

The main client for this business is government; usually at the state level, but sometimes it will be divided by counties or even cities.

Industrial

Industrial construction companies build things like manufacturing plants, warehouses, and power generation facilities.

The clients for these types of jobs will be manufacturers, electric cooperatives, water distributors, gas companies, etc. Large construction companies who specialize in this type of work can bid for jobs.

Giving the client a memento will help keep them top of mind and hopefully increase their chance of landing the gig.

Check back over the next few weeks as we dive into independent contractors. If you haven’t sold into the construction industry in the past, I think this series will open your eyes to the vast number of opportunities out there.

What other industries would you like to see covered on Hatswork? Let us know in the comments below. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram using the hashtag #hatswork.