A supply chain is a network of facilities[?] and distribution options that performs the functions of procurement[?] of materials; transformation of these material into intermediate[?] and finished products[?]; and distribution of these finished products to customers.

A supply chain essentially has three main parts, the supply, manufacturing and distribution:

• The supply side concentrates on how, where from and when raw materials are procured and supplied to manufacturing.
• Manufacturing converts these raw materials to finished products and
• Distribution ensures that these finished products reach the final customers through a network of distributors[?], warehouses[?] and retailers.

The chain can be said to start with the suppliers of your suppliers and ends with the customers of your customer.

See also

• trade item
• transportation
• distribution
• marketing

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