Supply chain

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.