Final answer:
Cereal Partners Worldwide (CPW) exemplifies a strategic alliance between General Mills and Nestlé, combining manufacturing, marketing, and distribution strengths to facilitate global product reach and create an advantage in competitive markets.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cereal Partners Worldwide (CPW) is an example of strategic alliance. This type of arrangement allows companies to combine their strengths while maintaining their individual brands and corporate identities. In this case, CPW marries General Mills' manufacturing and marketing prowess with Nestlé's extensive distribution network. This alliance allows for effective and efficient new product distribution like Nestlé Cheerios miel armandes in markets such as Paris, where breakfast might also include coffee and a croissant.
The rise of national markets, such as those created by mail-order houses and marketing techniques the likes of the Sears catalog, set the stage for mass distribution and consumption. Similarly, international trade has facilitated companies in achieving economies of scale and offering a broader range of products through competition among several producers.
An international strategic alliance can be seen as a modern extension of these historical trends, where companies across borders collaborate for a competitive advantage. They are able to reach new markets and consolidate their brand presence globally, benefiting from each other's unique capabilities. For example, General Mills' experience in cereal manufacturing combined with Nestlé's global distribution channels can enhance market reach and customer base for both entities.