subcontractor; subcontracting company
A company that undertakes work on behalf of a primary contractor. Common in manufacturing, construction, and IT.
The major manufacturer orders parts from many subcontractors.
At the construction site, the prime contractor manages the subcontracting companies.
The prime contractor that directly receives the order and may subcontract work to 下請け会社.
A sub-subcontractor, one level further down the chain from 下請け会社.
Standard spelling with okurigana け.
Variant without okurigana; less common but still used.
Compound of 下請け (したうけ, 'subcontract') + 会社 (がいしゃ, 'company').