The influence of procurement on companies´ profit has been noticed during the recent years and more focus has been set to the matter in small and medium-sized businesses. Procurement will develop strongly in the future. Supplier control and the development of subcontracting and co-operation are the factors behind successful procurement. The purpose of this thesis was to improve strategic procurement from the view point of developing co-operation. When co-operation is working properly the role of information will be highlighted.

This thesis has been made in co-operation with a company called Control Express Finland Ltd. located in the western Savo region. It manufactures ICT-products for the industry and military sectors, for demanding conditions. I myself act as a buyer in the strategic and operative purchasing in this company.

In the framework I have monitored the purchasing processes and their role in the operative action. I also explored the essential terms in the procurement field and these terms moreover influence most of this thesis. The meaning of networking and co-operation is highlighted strongly in the framework.

The thesis investigates the subcontractor’s opinions concerning the biggest problem areas which cause difficulties in the operative action. I approached the problem with the help of the company’s documentation due to the fact that documentation is controlling the products manufactured by the subcontractors. It is also a key factor for successful co-operation. A qualitative and a quantitative method were used as the research methods to receive most information from a small research sample. I interviewed the subcontractors and sent a Webropol questionnaire to a specially selected group.

According to the results, faults were found in the documentation and in the basic information regarding co-operation. Regardless of this, our own action has a co-operative touch, and a linear standard of activity applies and is appreciated among the subcontractors. With the help of these results, my aim is to develop the company’s purchasing sector into a cost effective direction and also improve the procurement process.