Accumulators Description Collators of wide range of goods and services from different industries or sectors to meet specific customer needs Key Features Intermediary or trading role with strong emphasis on procurement skills. Interface between small number of buyers and large number of diverse suppliers. Not usually formalised Comments Not widely used in Australia except for specialists such as ship's provedores and service supply companies. Joint Ventures Description Formalised arrangement between companies to undertake specific tasks or activities. Often focused on specific projects with clearly defined roles and responsibilities for members.
Members remain independent in all other areas of business.
Vertically Integrated Companies Description One entity controlling all major aspects of a given supply chain Key Features Control and ownership of key supply and value-adding links in chain. Often range from raw materials to distribution of products. High barriers to entry, capital intensive with strong focus on economies of scale and internal synergies. Comments Not strictly a collaborative arrangement but may arise from acquisition of suppliers or mergers of key value-chain firms. Generally restricted to large companies with access to capital.