Concept:Forward integration occurs when a company expands its control over the distribution or marketing of its finished products.Explanation:A manufacturer that produces goods decides to merge with or take over a firm that sells or markets those products.This moves the business closer to the final consumer.It is called forward integration because the manufacturer is moving forward along the chain toward the market.Backward integration would instead involve controlling raw materials or suppliers.Therefore, the combination described is a form of vertical integration where the manufacturer controls product distribution.Answer:C. forward integration