Definition
The full network of organisations, people, activities and information that moves a product from raw material to the end customer — suppliers, factories, freight carriers, ports, warehouses, distributors and retailers. For a South African importer a typical chain runs: overseas factory, origin port, ocean leg, Durban or Cape Town port, customs clearance, inland transport to a distribution centre, then delivery to stores or customers. Managing it well means balancing cost, speed and reliability at every link.