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The supply chain management application requires that members of the supply chain or network work together. Typically, this collaboration starts at the level of two neighbouring links, and other businesses are gradually involved. The maximum effect is achieved when all links are involved and the material flow can be optimized at the supply chain level. Such collaboration in the field of material flows can be built with various tools, but it is important that business partners agree to apply the tools. Aim of the article is to identify appropriate tools for the development of cooperation within the supply chain. To achieve this goal, primary research was carried out. Its first part took place in the selected company, the second part in the group of its key suppliers. The first part of the research has identified the tools that the company itself considers to be the most beneficial for the development of collaboration in the field of material flows. The second part of the research revealed the opinion of the key suppliers of the company. The analysis of the results of both parts of the research has shown that it is the conclusion of framework contracts, a joint demand forecasting and also the provision of information that influences the planning of the business partner, what contributes most to the development of collaboration in the field of material flows.

Keywords: Supply chain management, collaboration, demand forecasting, supply chain planning, contracts

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