What is the marketing strategy when a company takes control over one or more stages in the production or distribution of a product?

The marketing strategy that involves a company taking control over one or more stages in the production or distribution of a product is known as vertical integration. This strategy allows a company to streamline its operations by owning multiple steps in the supply chain, from the raw materials to the manufacturing process, and even to the distribution channels.

By integrating vertically, a company can reduce costs, improve efficiencies, and gain better control over the quality of its products. This approach can also help mitigate risks associated with relying on external suppliers and increase bargaining power within the supply chain. Furthermore, vertical integration can enhance customer satisfaction by enabling faster delivery and more consistent product availability.

In contrast, other strategies such as horizontal integration, market control, and product differentiation focus on different aspects of market strategy. Horizontal integration deals with acquiring or merging with similar companies to increase market share. Market control refers to the ability of a firm to influence prices or terms in a market, while product differentiation involves distinguishing a company's products from those of competitors to attract a specific market segment. Each of these strategies addresses different facets of competitive positioning, but they do not specifically entail controlling production or distribution stages.