The role and importance of suppliers in supply chain management
With the increasing population the demands for material goods increase as well, generating the growing flows in the supply chain. When we add this fact to the trend of urbanization that has become commonplace, the problem becomes even more complex. The world is globalized, and to a large extent dependent on efficient supply chain, so logistics and suppliers in such conditions have become more important, and therefore their impact on the entire supply chain increases. Manufacturing companies are very dependent on their suppliers, since owing to the constant changes that the market is exposed to and with increasingly stringent requirements, it is certainly a challenge to maintain a competitive position. This can be achieved if adequate production is realized which involves the lowest price of products possible, the highest quality, high accuracy of delivery to end users, reliability, response to specific requirements set by users i.e. flexibility as well as the cooperation that is realized both with customers and suppliers. Effective execution of activities related to the system, which include the optimal suppliers selection significantly affect the price setting of the finished product, and its quality, which is largely dictated by the situation on the market. The correct suppliers selection from the start provides an opportunity for timely, continuous and quality production which brings previously described benefits and which turns production into a competitive one.