Published by Fortune magazine, an annual list of the 500 US corporations with the largest revenue.

A business strategy whereby a company takes control of its distributors, therefore guaranteeing the distribution of the controlling company’s products.

Also called a ‘freight forwarder’, a company specialising in transfer of freight from businesses or individuals by finding an appropriate transporter of the goods.

An arrangement where a number of people or companies each buy a percentage of an expensive asset, such as a property. The individual owners then share the asset, and when it is sold the profits are distributed back to the owners.

An authorization or licence.

A situation in which workers and union members meet with employers to discuss working conditions, pay, etc., in talks that are not limited by law or government.

An economic system in which private businesses have the freedom to compete with each other for profit, with minimal interference from the government.

A market in which prices of goods and services are affected by supply and demand, rather than government regulation.

Maritime trade term. The supplier delivers the goods to a ship at a specified port. The supplier then pays the shipping costs after obtaining official clearance. Once they have been put on board, the buyer is then responsible for the goods.

A port where goods can be brought and stored temporarily, without custom duties having to be paid, before being shipped to another country.