Tim Hortons Vertical Integration

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When we talk about vertical integration, we address the supply chain of a firm.(…) By definition vertical integration is ‘the act of expanding into new operations for the purpose of decreasing a firm's reliability on other firms in the process of production and distribution’ (Kimmons 2015). In other words, how independent a firm produces and distributes a product or service without relying on other firms. Throughout the history Tim Hortons has immensely integrated vertically. As previously stated Tim Hortons only started out with two product, both not very vertically integrated. The have their own restaurants, which means that they over the years integrated backwards. This means that they started production of product themselves, which they did, by having their own distribution and manufacturing companies (company facts). …show more content…

Tim Hortons sells Arabic coffee to ensure quality, of which the roast 75% themselves in their two coffee roasting facilities (Morelli). In which you can see that 4/5th of their expenses are internal. (home page annual reports) They have a ‘joint venture with IAWS Group Ltd, for the pre-baked and package product’ (Wendy’s international) Thereby they have avoided a hold-up as it is in both companies interest to perform. (can i link this to Transaction cost) This is an essential part of Tim Hortons business model in which they were able to achieve economies of scale. A firm that is more vertically integrated will also have higher internal costs. (….a book). In 2010 Tim Hortons has had a total revenue of $2’536’495, of which $2’025’332 are accounted for as internal costs.

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