Where does the manufacturing cycle take place?

The manufacturing cycle primarily takes place at the distributor/manufacturer interface. This is because the manufacturing process involves several key activities that occur when manufacturers create products to be supplied to distributors who then make them available to retailers or customers.

During this cycle, various operations such as production planning, materials management, and quality control are executed. The relationship between the manufacturer and distributor is crucial as it involves negotiations about product specifications, order quantities, and delivery schedules. The flow of materials, information, and finances between these two parties is critical for ensuring timely manufacturing and distribution of products.

While the customer/distributor interface refers to the sale and delivery of products to end consumers, and the manufacturer/supplier and retailer/manufacturer interfaces involve different aspects of supply chain coordination, the core activities that define the manufacturing cycle are specifically linked to the interactions and processes that take place between manufacturers and distributors.