fournisseur

Fournisseur is a French term that denotes a person or organization that provides goods or services to another party. In business usage, a fournisseur supplies products, components, or services to customers such as manufacturers, retailers, or institutions. The English equivalents are supplier, vendor, or provider.

Originating from the verb fournir, meaning to furnish or supply, the term has broad usage across industries; it can denote a manufacturer’s supplier, a distributor, or a service provider. In French, distinctions exist between fournisseur (provider), distributeur (distributor), and grossiste (wholesaler).

Fournisseurs can be categorized as manufacturers (fournisseur fabricant), distributors (fournisseur/distributeur), wholesalers (grossiste), or service providers (fournisseur de services). Some specialize in logistics, financing, or energy—examples include fournisseur d'énergie or fournisseur d'accès Internet (ISP).

Engagement with a fournisseur typically follows a procurement process: needs identification, supplier search and evaluation, selection, contracting (supply agreement, framework agreement), placing orders, delivery, and payment. Ongoing supplier relationship management aims to ensure quality, continuity, and value. Companies may use performance metrics to monitor delivery reliability, quality control, and cost efficiency.

Contracts specify terms, performance indicators, quality standards, delivery schedules, and remedies for non-compliance. Businesses perform supplier audits, monitor financial stability, and assess risk and sustainability to mitigate supply disruption and regulatory risk. The concept intersects with broader supply chain management, including procurement strategy, sourcing decisions, and ethical considerations such as responsible sourcing and environmental impact. See also supplier relationship management, procurement, and related terms.