Supplier base management is an important aspect of the management of manufacturing operations, as reducing the number of suppliers – the supplier base – is a key approach in many companies including the US and the UK. By having fewer suppliers, manufacturers have more time to work closely...

A key issue for manufacturers is supplier management, i.e. organising theoptimal flow of high quality, value-for-money materials or components fromappropriate innovative suppliers. Many companies now recognise the central rolethat supplier management plays in achieving long-term competitive...

Supplier partnerships can be the key in enhancing the performance ofmanufacturing companies. Consequently, partnership has been strongly recommendedby academics and practitioners alike. Surprisingly, the concept of partnershipis only poorly understood. Many authors have identified the advantages...

Streamlining the supplier base is a common approach in many US and UKmanufacturing companies. However, is this approach being adopted in Germany asfast as it has in the UK? This paper describes research that answers thisquestion and investigates how German companies are managing contacts with...