Leverandørduoer

Leverandørduoer, or supplier duos, refer to a business strategy where a company deliberately chooses to work with only two suppliers for a particular good or service. This approach is distinct from sole-sourcing (one supplier) or multi-sourcing (multiple suppliers). The core idea behind a supplier duo is to balance the benefits of having multiple options while mitigating some of the risks associated with too many choices.

Companies employing this strategy aim to secure a competitive pricing environment. By having two engaged suppliers, the buyer can often leverage price comparisons and negotiate more favorable terms. It also provides a degree of redundancy. If one supplier experiences disruptions, such as production issues, natural disasters, or financial instability, the other supplier can often step in to maintain continuity of supply, thereby reducing the risk of a complete stock-out or service interruption.

However, managing two suppliers requires careful coordination. Companies must invest time and resources in managing relationships, monitoring performance, and ensuring quality standards are met by both parties. There's also a risk that if the market is small or the product highly specialized, finding two suitable and willing suppliers can be challenging. Despite these complexities, the supplier duo model is often seen as a strategic middle ground that offers resilience and cost-effectiveness.