IT research and advisory firm Gartner has acquired UK-based SCM World, a company which accelerates collective learning and performance across the supply chain industry.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed, with Gartner aiming to fund the acquisition by using its current foreign cash balances.

SCM World is a cross-industry learning community, which offers subscription-based research and conferences powered by the world’s most influential chief supply chain practitioners.

The company helps three levels of supply chain leaders in an organisation and builds customised corporate membership programmes for senior supply chain practitioners.

It supports C-Level leaders for global heads of supply chain; senior leaders for several senior executives identified as future C-Level; and develops leaders for high performing heads or directors working in all forms of supply chain management.

The acquisition allows Gartner’s clients to leverage SCM’s supply chain services. Clients of SCM World can use Gartner’s research and advisory services focused on supply chain.

The research firm will develop an extended range of supply chain products and services to speed up long-term growth for both companies.

The acquisition is consistent with Gartner’s growth strategy to invest in the development of new products and services that help its supply chain clients make the appropriate decisions.

Gartner CEO Gene Hall said: "The combination of Gartner’s analyst-generated supply chain research and advisory services with SCM World’s industry-leading peer network for chief supply chain officers, user-generated research and conferences aligns closely to the growing demands of clients worldwide.

Both the firms will together create the best source of objective research, strategic advice, peer networking and must-attend conferences for global chief supply chain officers and their leadership teams.

SCM World CEO Oliver Sloane said: "Gartner’s considerable resources and success operating at scale, in addition to analyst-generated research and global client-base of supply chain practitioners, provides us with an opportunity to significantly enhance the services we provide and accelerate the growth of our executive supply chain peer community faster than we could do so as a private company."