The banks in essence take over the invoices, advance payments to suppliers and collect from buyers when the bills come due.

WSJ: P&G, Big Companies Pinch Suppliers on Payments

To get the fish, Pacific Andes would advance its Russian suppliers money to cover expenses for fuel, vessels and fishing equipment, thus cementing relationships with a fleet hit hard by the collapse of the Soviet Union.

FORBES: Blue Waters Gray Areas

To get the fish, Pacific Andes would advance its Russian suppliers money to cover expenses for fuel, vessels and fishing equipment, thus cementing relationships with a fleet hit hard finally by the collapse of the Soviet Union.

FORBES: Magazine Article

It points out that around euro1.7 billion of prepayments have been spent in making advance payments to its own suppliers.

ECONOMIST: Alstom

We'd expect the manufacturer to keep its suppliers informed about its needs, working with them as far in advance as possible to ensure that they could supply exactly what the manufacturer needed when it needed it.

WSJ: 'Why Companies Aren't Getting the Employees They Need': The Author Follows Up

He said a lot of work had been carried out with suppliers including JT in advance but, due to equipment failure beyond the company's control, people initially calling for information had not been able to get through.

BBC: Jersey's new bus service has 'teething problems'

Rumours of an impending closure caused suppliers to pull back deliveries and workers to demand salaries in advance.

ECONOMIST: Business in China