Supply chain cooperation as a sustainable solution

Supply chain cooperation is more than a short-term initiative. It involves a shared intention where all parties involved take similar ownership as well as share their knowledge and experience. This type of cooperation asks for serious commitment to ultimately reach shared objectives. Curious to know more about the advantages of supply chain cooperation?

Conditions of successful supply chain cooperation

Successful cooperation is always a good idea, but supply chain cooperation goes even one step further. What are the conditions for an optimal supply chain cooperation?

• All parties involved should focus on a shared objective that cannot be reached other than through cooperation. It is important to express individual expectations early on.
• A shared challenge can be another reason to start a supply chain cooperation. Here too, joining forces is the most efficient and effective way to find a solution.
• All parties involved share their individual, specific knowledge and experience. Through this, they strengthen each other.
• Supply chain cooperation focuses on long-term objectives. This type of cooperation isn’t a one-time initiative, but a shared investment of knowledge, experience and time.

Advantages of successful supply chain cooperation

If these four conditions are taken seriously, supply chain cooperation has many advantages. Through joining forces, innovative solutions can be created faster, and objectives can be reached more efficiently. In addition, experts can be asked to provide valuable input.

Together, the cooperating parties have a greater reach and more power. Therefore, the market can be approached more efficiently, and the results are visible sooner. Next to an improved turnaround time, the costs can also be reduced when working closely together. All this without any loss of quality. What is more, their shared knowledge and experience will improve quality.

How to make supply chain cooperation a success?

How can supply chain cooperation become a success? First, all parties should focus on the same objective. Therefore, it is crucial to make clear agreements at the start, as well as express individual expectations. It is also necessary to keep a finger on the pulse throughout the entire process and evaluate at set times. Based on the findings, the parties involved can remind each other of their agreements, and adjustments can be made to still reach their objective.

Clear communication is crucial throughout the entire process. At the start, when the objectives are being discussed, during, when evaluations are taking place, and after, when the objectives haven been reached. And what is the next step? Supply chain cooperation is a sustainable trajectory that creates more than one-time success. With the right mindset, cooperating parties can celebrate their successes for many years to come.

Growers United / Prominent has been successfully cooperating for years. Curious to learn more about the possibilities? Do not hesitate to get in touch with Wim van den Berg of Growers United / Prominent: w.vandenberg@growersunited.nl of +31 (0)6 5756 4346.

Prominent is a brand of Growers United UA. This organisation is responsible for the sales, marketing and quality control of the product.