The changing face of tile distribution
From intricate natural stone to large-format porcelain, the tile distribution sector has always dealt with a high degree of product variation. But with the surge in demand for bespoke finishes, underfloor heating compatibility, and fast turnaround on project orders, distributors are now expected to offer more choice, more technical insight, and a higher level of service than ever before. At the same time, labour shortages and cost pressures haven’t eased. That’s where AI is stepping in, not as a futuristic concept, but as a practical solution that’s already delivering value.
From discussion to deployment
At Klipboard, we’ve seen a shift in attitude towards AI among tile merchants and distributors. Once treated as an R&D topic, AI is now firmly on the investment agenda. In the UK wholesale space, nearly 50% of businesses see AI as a top priority – and the tile sector is no exception.
For a sector known for SKUs that vary by shade, finish, batch, and format, and for the challenge of managing large, fragile goods, AI is now being used to improve decisions at every step, without adding to headcount or complexity.
Tackling sector-specific operational friction
The tile trade has unique challenges. Managing stock that comes in pallets, boxes, and square metres, often with limited remnant reusability, is a logistical headache. On top of that, you’re tracking batch variations and trying to balance customer demand with warehouse space. With our Klipboard ERP One platform, we’ve integrated a suite of AI solutions. One part of our AI offerings capability is intelligent inventory management and demand forecasting. It combines past sales, seasonal trends, and even data from external sources like housing and construction markets, giving merchants a clearer picture of when and how to buy.
Rethinking logistics and heavy delivery
Delivery matters. Tiles are heavy, fragile, and bulky, and customer expectations for speed haven’t changed. That’s why we’ve embedded AI-led routing into our Klipboard Transport Management (VIGO) system.
It draws on traffic, delivery history, and route data to make fleet decisions more intelligent. Drivers complete more drops per shift with fewer failed deliveries, while your fleet runs leaner and greener.
Supporting sales and service
Whether it’s a designer asking about matching finishes or a contractor needing delivery updates, tile distributors like you handle thousands of product and service questions every week. That’s why we developed the Klipboard Copilot, an AI-powered assistant that supports staff with instant access to answers on stock, batch matching, pricing, and logistics.
It’s not about replacing your team. It’s about freeing them up to focus on what matters most – building customer loyalty and adding value on every job. There’s a lot of noise about AI – but in many cases, it’s just old automation with a new label. What has changed is the processing power availability has grown year on year and also LLM’s capability and availability, thus enabling a much richer experience, which Klipboard is leveraging in its products to bring AI into businesses ’ workflows.” says DJ, chief product officer at Klipboard. “At Klipboard, we’re applying AI in ERP One where it delivers measurable impact: reducing manual effort, improving decision-making, and helping businesses stay ahead in a competitive market. We’re also exploring the next evolution – agentic AI – where systems start to take action, not just offer suggestions. We’re not interested in hype for hype’s sake. Our focus is on building capability that’s practical, trusted, and genuinely moves the dial.”
Scaling for the future
With more variants, more orders, and tighter delivery windows, AI gives tile distributors a clear route to scale. It reduces waste, improves fulfilment accuracy, and helps protect margin, without relying on bigger teams, more spreadsheets or more siloed software solutions.
Final thoughts
The future of tile distribution won’t be won by those chasing trends, but by those investing in tools that work. AI is already reshaping the most forward-thinking businesses in this space and those who act early will be the ones who set the pace.
By Wayne Fraser, chief information & AI officer, Klipboard
