Important Factors on Make or Buy Strategy for Margin Improvement on Consumer Goods Company

Consumer goods industry have tight a competition in the market. Therefore, companies that operate in this kind of industry should continuously improve sustainable competitive advantage. The strategy to increase competitive advantage is not through innovation but also requires cost leadership so that the company obtains an adequate profit margin. One of the efforts to gain cost leadership is that companies need to choose between make inhouse production or buy goods directly from appointed third party supplier. This study based on qualitative research methodology aims to discuss the important factors for building a business case on the make or buy options. Data for analysis purpose are obtained from interviews with individuals representing one of the leading multinational companies operating in Indonesia that produces personal care, hygiene and home care. Interviews results are written in transcript, coded and mapped to illustrate the keywords mentioned by respondents then being categorized as important factors or not. The result of the study showed that cost, capability, capacity, quality, service level and technology are important factors on consideration make or buy. Cost factor also consider projection volume, transportation and investment.