Manufacturing refers to the process of producing goods using a combination of labor, machinery, tools, equipment, and various chemical or biological techniques. It represents a vital part of the secondary sector of the economy. This process can range from traditional handcrafted methods to advanced high-tech production systems, but it is most commonly associated with industrial-scale manufacturing, where raw materials from the primary sector are transformed into finished products.
These products may be supplied to other manufacturers for creating more complex items—such as aircraft, home appliances, furniture, automobiles, and sports equipment—or distributed through the tertiary sector to reach end consumers. Typically, this involves a supply chain where goods pass from wholesalers to retailers, eventually making their way to individual customers.