PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Gilbane Building, a global leader in construction and facilities management, has announced the launch of NextDirect, a wholly owned subsidiary focused on delivering direct procurement strategies for mechanical and electrical systems and equipment. This new venture is designed to enhance schedule reliability, cost certainty, and transparency for complex construction projects and supports Gilbane’s long-term growth.
Gilbane has appointed Suzanne Bennett as Vice President and Business Leader of NextDirect to lead this strategic initiative. Suzanne brings extensive experience in construction, engineering, and supply chain leadership, with a proven track record of driving operational excellence, innovation, and sustainable procurement practices.
“I’m honored to join Gilbane Building and lead the launch of NextDirect,” said Bennett. “It is thrilling to be part of a forward-thinking organization which is reshaping supply chain engagement and delivering value to clients, partners, and the built environment.”
Bennett will focus on scaling and evolving NextDirect, building on the strong foundation laid by Gilbane’s supply chain management team. NextDirectSM has already supported several pilot projects and is actively engaged in planning and execution phases for 2025 projects with clients across the advanced manufacturing, science and technology, healthcare, higher education, and justice market sectors.
Key benefits of NextDirect include:
Improved Schedule Reliability: By managing procurement directly and aligning early with project teams, NextDirect helps mitigate delays associated with long-lead equipment and fragmented purchasing processes—supporting on-time project delivery.
Greater Cost Confidence: Clients benefit from transparent pricing and a streamlined procurement model that is cost-neutral at minimum—and often more economical than traditional approaches. This helps reduce budget uncertainty and supports more accurate financial planning.
Informed Decision-Making: Clients retain visibility and control over equipment selection, ensuring alignment with performance standards, brand preferences, and long-term operational goals.
Simplified Procurement Process: NextDirect optimizes the design-assist phase by enabling early product production and reducing the need for third-party intermediaries in the purchasing process. This approach supports competitive bidding based on finalized design documents, simplifies procurement, and fosters stronger partnerships.
NextDirect’s process includes early collaboration with project teams, competitive manufacturer bidding, risk-managed contracting, and full lifecycle oversight—from procurement through delivery, installation, and closeout, delivering value to clients in the long-term operations of their facilities.
Gilbane Building is a global leader in construction management and provides a full slate of construction and facilities-related services—from preconstruction planning and integrated consulting capabilities to comprehensive construction management, general contracting, design-build, and facility management services.
