Freight Glossary
Supply Chain – Meaning & Examples
The entire network of organizations, activities, and resources involved in creating and delivering products.
- Related terms
- supply chain management, SCM, logistics network
A supply chain encompasses all steps involved in getting a product from raw material to end consumer. This includes sourcing, manufacturing, warehousing, transportation, distribution, and delivery. Modern supply chain management focuses on optimizing this entire network for efficiency, cost, speed, and reliability. Key concepts include visibility, inventory optimization, demand planning, and risk management.
Supply Chain examples
- A smartphone supply chain includes mining rare earth minerals, manufacturing components in multiple countries, assembly, shipping, and retail distribution.
How Supply Chain is used in freight operations
Supply Chain appears in quotations, bookings, shipping documents, and tracking updates. Confirm how it applies to your shipment with your carrier, forwarder, or customs representative, because practice can differ by country and contract.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Supply Chain?
The entire network of organizations, activities, and resources involved in creating and delivering products.
What is an example of Supply Chain?
A smartphone supply chain includes mining rare earth minerals, manufacturing components in multiple countries, assembly, shipping, and retail distribution.