According to Gary Maxwell, senior vice president of international supply chain for Wal-Mart Stores Inc., when it comes to serving customers, best-in-market supply chain management trumps world-class supply chains every time. Maxwell delivered the advice during the keynote address at the 2009 Annual Global Conference of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, which took place in late September in Chicago. Wal-Mart, just shy of $100 billion in revenue last year, does business in 15 countries, with more than 7,900 stores and 228 distribution centers. When Wal-Mart grows by acquisition, management of the acquired company often expresses excitement about the idea of Wal-Mart building stronger supply chains around their businesses, Maxwell said.