Alphenaer is a brand of:
FAQ

What are the benefits of having a second supplier alongside your main supplier?

Adding a second supplier alongside your main supplier reduces the risk of production downtime, gives you more negotiating power, and makes your supply chain more resilient. For buyers and product developers in the food industry, spreading supplier risk is not a luxury — it’s a strategic necessity. In this article, we answer the most common questions about supplier diversification, so you can make a well-informed decision.

What are the risks of relying entirely on one supplier?

Relying entirely on one supplier means that any problem on their end directly affects your production. Think strikes, transportation issues, quality incidents, or bankruptcy. Without an alternative, you’re left empty-handed — while your customers still expect on-time delivery. This supply chain risk is especially significant for food companies.

The most common risks of single-supplier dependency are:

  • Production downtime caused by delivery problems or quality deviations
  • Price dependency because you have no point of comparison in price negotiations
  • Quality risk if the supplier can’t maintain their standards
  • Reputational damage if you, as the end producer, can’t deliver to your customers
  • Limited flexibility during seasonal peaks or sudden volume increases

Especially in the cheese sector, where raw materials like milk fluctuate seasonally, the risk of supply problems is real. A backup supplier provides the buffer you need to protect your own business continuity.

How does a second supplier improve supply security?

A second supplier improves supply security because you always have an alternative when your main supplier can’t deliver. Instead of depending on a single link in the chain, you build in a safety net that automatically kicks in when disruptions occur. This makes your supply chain more robust and your planning more reliable.

Here’s how it works in practice: you split your purchasing volume between two suppliers — for example, 70 percent with your main supplier and 30 percent with your second supplier. Both parties know your specifications, your production schedule, and your quality requirements. If something goes wrong with one party, the other can scale up without you having to go through a new onboarding process.

An added benefit is that a second supplier also helps during seasonal peaks. In periods of high demand, you can temporarily order more volume from your backup supplier — without affecting quality or your relationship with your main supplier.

What is the difference between a main supplier and a second supplier?

A main supplier delivers the largest share of your purchasing volume and typically has the deepest integration with your production processes. A second supplier — also called a backup supplier — delivers a smaller volume but is fully set up to scale when needed. The difference is not about quality; it’s about role and volume.

The role of the main supplier

The main supplier is your primary partner. You have the strongest contractual agreements with them, the most complete quality documentation, and the best price based on volume. They know your processes inside and out and are the first you call when developing new products or adjusting specifications.

The role of the second supplier

The second supplier acts as an active partner on a smaller scale. They deliver regularly, so they stay familiar with your requirements and keep their processes aligned with your quality standards. A second supplier who never delivers will lose their knowledge of your product — and won’t be a real backup when a crisis hits.

How do you negotiate better prices with two suppliers?

With two suppliers, you have a concrete point of comparison — and that gives you negotiating power. You can let both parties know you have alternatives, which motivates them to sharpen their pricing and offer better service terms. Spreading supplier risk is therefore not just a safety measure; it’s also a commercial tool.

Practical tips for price negotiations with two suppliers:

  1. Ask both parties for quotes based on the same specifications, so you can make a fair comparison
  2. Be transparent about your strategy: suppliers know you work with multiple parties and appreciate honesty
  3. Negotiate on total value, not just price: delivery reliability, documentation, and flexibility all count
  4. Use volume guarantees as a negotiating tool: a guaranteed minimum order gives the supplier certainty and you a better price

Just be careful not to undermine your relationship with your main supplier by focusing purely on price. A good supplier relationship has value that doesn’t show up in a spreadsheet.

When does it make sense to bring in a second supplier?

A second supplier makes sense as soon as your dependency on one party poses a real business risk. That’s the case when a supply disruption from your main supplier directly leads to production downtime, delivery problems for your customers, or reputational damage. The greater the impact of a supply interruption, the more urgent the need for a backup supplier.

Specific situations where bringing in a second supplier is a smart move:

  • Your main supplier delivers more than 80 percent of a critical ingredient
  • You work with a seasonal raw material whose availability fluctuates
  • Your business is growing quickly and you want to professionalize your purchasing base
  • Your customers require supply security and want proof of supply chain resilience
  • You’ve recently experienced a supply problem that disrupted your production

For product developers, a second supplier is also valuable as a source of inspiration: a different supplier brings different product variants, flavor innovations, and technical capabilities that can enrich your product development.

What should you look for when selecting a second supplier?

When selecting a second supplier, most of the same criteria apply as for a main supplier: consistent quality, delivery reliability, certifications, and a willingness to collaborate. The difference is that you pay extra attention to scalability and how quickly the supplier can ramp up in an emergency.

Essential selection criteria for a second supplier:

  • Quality documentation: does the supplier have the right certifications and can they demonstrate consistent specifications?
  • Production capacity: can the supplier scale up quickly if you need more volume?
  • Flexibility: is the supplier willing to offer custom solutions or produce private label products?
  • Communication: does the supplier respond quickly and transparently to questions and complaints?
  • Financial stability: is the supplier a healthy business that can deliver over the long term?
  • Geographic location: how far is the supplier from your production site, and what are the logistical risks?

Always request a trial delivery before officially adding a second supplier to your purchasing strategy. This lets you test the actual quality and logistics process without immediately depending on that party.

How DeJong Cheese helps as a reliable second supplier for goat cheese

As a family business with more than thirty years of experience in goat cheese specialties, we know exactly what buyers and product developers need from a second supplier. Under the Alphenaer brand, we supply premium fresh and aged goat cheese specialties to both retail and the food industry worldwide. Our production is based on traditional recipes, combined with the consistency and documentation that industrial customers require.

What we offer as a second supplier for goat cheese:

  • Consistent quality with full technical documentation and certifications
  • Flexible volumes, from smaller trial orders to large industrial deliveries
  • Private label and custom solutions for product developers looking for specific flavor variants
  • Personal contact with short communication lines, so you get answers fast
  • Deliveries to foodservice and industry, with knowledge of the specific requirements of each channel

Whether you’re looking for a reliable backup supplier for your production line or a creative partner for new product development — we’re happy to think along with you. Get in touch and find out what we can do for your supply chain.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it typically take to get a second supplier fully operational?

Onboarding a second supplier takes an average of two to six months, depending on the complexity of your specifications and the qualification procedures required. Allow time for a trial delivery, lab analyses, documentation review, and an evaluation period before adding the supplier to your regular purchasing strategy. Start this process well before you actually need the backup — don’t wait until there’s a crisis.

What is the minimum volume I should order from my second supplier to keep the relationship active?

There’s no universal minimum, but a common guideline is to place at least 20 to 30 percent of your total purchasing volume with your second supplier. This is enough to keep the supplier familiar with your specifications and production schedule, without taking too much volume away from your main supplier. A second supplier who goes months without delivering will lose their knowledge of your product and won’t be an effective backup when you need them most.

What are the most common mistakes when setting up a dual sourcing strategy?

The most common mistake is selecting a second supplier based purely on price, without checking whether their quality and scalability actually match your requirements. Another frequent mistake is neglecting the relationship with the second supplier: not placing regular orders, not sharing updates on specification changes, and only reaching out during a crisis. Treat your second supplier as an active partner, not as an emergency solution you keep in a drawer.

How do I communicate my dual sourcing strategy internally and externally without upsetting suppliers?

Be open and honest: most professional suppliers understand and respect a dual sourcing strategy, because it also gives them confidence in a long-term partnership. Internally, it’s important to align purchasing, product development, and quality management on the roles of the main and second supplier. With suppliers, it’s best to communicate in terms of mutual benefit: you want supply security, and they get a guaranteed volume and a stable customer relationship.

Can a second supplier also contribute to product development, or is that exclusively the role of the main supplier?

Absolutely — a second supplier can actually be a valuable source of innovation and product inspiration. Because a different supplier uses different raw materials, aging techniques, or flavor profiles, they bring perspectives your main supplier may not have. Actively involve your second supplier in product development projects, even for smaller volumes; this strengthens the relationship and expands your innovation potential.

What certifications should I check at a minimum when selecting a second supplier in the food industry?

The minimum standard for suppliers in the food industry includes certifications such as BRC (British Retail Consortium), IFS (International Featured Standards), or FSSC 22000, depending on the requirements of your customers and the markets you operate in. Also check whether the supplier holds relevant product-specific certifications, such as organic (EKO or EU Organic) if that’s required for your product. Always request up-to-date certificates and verify their validity — expired certifications are a direct risk to your own compliance.

How do I periodically evaluate whether my second supplier still meets my requirements?

Set up an annual supplier evaluation that covers at least quality consistency, delivery reliability, responsiveness, and financial stability. Use concrete KPIs — the same ones you apply to your main supplier — so you can make an objective comparison. Also schedule at least one personal meeting or factory visit per year to keep the relationship active and to spot early on whether the supplier still aligns with your growth and quality requirements.

Related Articles