Lucille believes that DIMCO has already integrated its internal processes and is ready to proceed with external integration. However, she is uncertain as to which direction to take. Should the company work on integrating the suppliers or the distributors first? Currently, DIMCO uses approximately $1350$ different components and$/$or raw materials in manufacturing its product line. Those components and raw materials are purchased from approximately $375$ different suppliers around the world. In terms of distribution, DIMCO currently sends its finished products to a central warehouse that supplies $10$ regional distribution centers $($RDC$)$; $6$ are domestic and $4$ are located outside of the United States. Each RDC supplies an average of $12$ local distributors that each supply an average of $35$ retailers.

Lucille is looking for some advice.

Briefly describe DIMCO$$s supply chain.

What are the advantages that DIMCO can gain by implementing supply chain management?

What would you recommend DIMCO attempt next? Should it work on integrating the suppliers or the distributors first? Or should it work on both simultaneously?

What are your recommendations with regard to the external suppliers?

What are your recommendations with regard to the external distributors?