Supply Chain
Also known as: Supply Chain Management, SCM, Value Chain
Definition
The supply chain encompasses everything involved in getting a product from conception to customer: sourcing materials, manufacturing, warehousing, transportation, and final delivery. It’s the entire journey of goods.
Supply Chain Components
- Sourcing - Raw materials and suppliers
- Manufacturing - Production and assembly
- Warehousing - Storage and inventory
- Transportation - Moving goods between points
- Fulfillment - Order processing and delivery
- Returns - Reverse logistics
Supply Chain vs. Logistics
| Supply Chain | Logistics |
|---|---|
| End-to-end network | Transportation focus |
| Strategic planning | Operational execution |
| Supplier to customer | Warehouse to customer |
| Broader scope | Subset of supply chain |
Supply Chain Challenges
- Global disruptions
- Demand forecasting
- Inventory optimization
- Supplier reliability
- Transportation costs
- Visibility across partners
Modern Supply Chain Trends
- Real-time visibility
- Automation and AI
- Sustainability focus
- Nearshoring
- Multi-channel fulfillment
- Resilience planning
Ready to ship?
Compare carriers side by side
Try Free