From beans to chips, vertical integration differs from older models

This article from the Financial Times discusses the trend of vertical integration, where companies take control of their supply chains, often by owning their own farms or manufacturing facilities. While this strategy was popular in the past, the article argues that modern vertical integration differs from the Ford-era model, where companies owned entire production processes. Today, companies like Starbucks, Apple, and Meta are integrating strategically to ensure quality, sustainability, and technological advancements. The article highlights the differences in modern vertical integration through examples of companies like Starbucks, Ikea, and Apple, emphasising that the focus is now on specific aspects of the supply chain rather than complete ownership.