supply chain
suh-PLY chayn
/səˈplaɪ tʃeɪn/
The sequence of processes involved in the production and distribution of a commodity.
Emphasizes the interconnectedness of different companies and steps.
The story behind the word. A 'supply' (to fill up) 'chain' (linked rings). It visualizes the process of making and moving goods as a series of links that are only as strong as the weakest one.
Word relationships
- logistics network: Logistics network focuses on the physical routes; supply chain includes the manufacturing and sourcing steps too.
Commonly confused with
- distribution: Distribution is just the final step of getting goods to customers; the supply chain starts at the raw material stage.
Collocations
- supply chain management
- supply chain disruption
- global supply chain
- supply chain resilience
Idioms & expressions
- weakest link in the chain
Example sentences
- "The global supply chain is incredibly complex, and a disruption in one region can have a ripple effect across the entire world." Tim Cook discussing global operations.
Memory hook
Think of a literal chain where each link is a different company or factory. Supply Chain = Linked steps of supply.
When not to use
Don't use for a single shop's internal inventory; use for the whole journey from raw material to customer.
Fun facts
- The term 'supply chain' was first used in a 1905 article in The Independent, but didn't become a common business term until the 1980s.
Related words
Explore more words
distribution, interconnectedness, logistics, interdependence, ecosystem, workflow
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