supplier
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supplier
A company that supplies other companies with components, materials, or raw materials that they need for their own production.
Wegen Lieferschwierigkeiten bei einem wichtigen Zulieferer musste der Autohersteller die Produktion drosseln.
Because of delivery problems at an important supplier, the car manufacturer had to reduce production.
The word is derived from the separable verb 'zuliefern' (to supply/deliver to). The prefix 'zu-' emphasizes that something is delivered to a specific recipient, and the ending '-er' refers to the person or company carrying out this action.
Die Firma hat mehrere Zulieferer für die verschiedenen Komponenten.
The company has several suppliers for the different components.
To indicate for whom or what a supplier works, the preposition 'für' (for) is used. It is often followed by an industry or a specific company.
Dieses Unternehmen ist ein wichtiger Zulieferer für die deutsche Automobilindustrie.
This company is an important supplier for the German automotive industry.
The term 'Zulieferer' (supplier) is used almost exclusively in an economic context. It is typical in texts about production, logistics, and trade.
Die Pandemie hat die globalen Netzwerke der Zulieferer stark beeinträchtigt.
The pandemic severely affected the global networks of suppliers.
manufacturer
'der Hersteller' and 'der Zulieferer' are both often part of a production chain. A Hersteller produces the finished product or a good for the market. A Zulieferer supplies parts, materials, or raw materials to another company so that it can continue production. The words can be confused because a supplier may also manufacture something. Still, its role is different: it supplies a manufacturer, not necessarily the end customers directly.
Ein Zulieferer schickt die Motorenteile jeden Morgen an die Autofabrik.
A supplier sends the engine parts to the car factory every morning.
Der Hersteller verkauft die Waschmaschine mit drei Jahren Garantie.
The manufacturer sells the washing machine with a three-year warranty.