Vertical integration strategies are business models in which companies control the supply chain from production all the way through to sales. This means a single company may produce, distribute and retail its own products, instead of relying on external entities for any part of the process. The main advantages are cost-efficiency and vertical control, allowing businesses to gain a competitive advantage over those that remain outside the supply chain. By minimizing the number of external entities involved in the transaction, vertical integration also reduces risk. Ultimately, this strategy is about turning separate activities into a unified whole.