---
title: "Suppliers & manufacturers"
description: "Who makes a part vs. who you buy it from — and how MPNs link to your internal PNs."
---

simple-plm tracks two distinct entities around sourcing: **manufacturers** (who *makes* the part) and **suppliers** (who you *buy it from*). One part can have many manufacturer part numbers (MPNs) and each MPN can be stocked by multiple suppliers. Keeping them separate lets you change buying habits without rewriting the BOM.

## Manufacturers and MPNs

A manufacturer record holds the company name and a list of part references. Each part-to-manufacturer link carries the **manufacturer part number (MPN)** — the string the manufacturer themselves uses. Example: your internal `R-10K-0603` might map to Yageo's `RC0603FR-0710KL` and Panasonic's `ERJ-3EKF1002V`.

## Suppliers

A supplier record is your buying relationship — Digi-Key, Mouser, a local distributor. Suppliers carry **stock entries** that link a specific MPN to:

- `supplier_part_number` — the SKU you'd put on a PO.
- `cost` — unit price (in your org's default currency, with quantity breaks optional).
- `lead_time_days` — how long from order to receipt.
- `moq` — minimum order quantity.

## Why the split matters

When a manufacturer EOLs a part, you swap an MPN — your internal PN and BOMs are untouched. When you start buying from a new distributor, you add a supplier and stock entries — again, no BOM edits needed.

## On disk

```yaml
# plm-data/manufacturers/Yageo.yaml
name: Yageo
parts:
  - pn: R-10K-0603
    mpn: RC0603FR-0710KL

# plm-data/suppliers/DigiKey.yaml
name: Digi-Key
stock:
  - mpn: RC0603FR-0710KL
    supplier_part_number: 311-10.0KHRCT-ND
    cost: 0.012
    lead_time_days: 1
    moq: 100
```

See [`plm manufacturers`](/docs/cli/manufacturers/) and [`plm suppliers`](/docs/cli/suppliers/).