The term for Distribution Agreements varies, with terms being anywhere from 5 to 15 years. I try to limit the term as much as possible—especially when there is no advance, or a meager one.
Here are six steps you can take toward becoming a distributor: Identify your industry. The first step to becoming a distributor is identifying the industry you'd like to serve. Register your business legally. Seek suppliers and manufacturers. Plan your logistics. Apply as a distributor. Build relationships.
Here are the steps to find and negotiate a distribution agreement: Step 1: Meet with the distributor. Step 2: Discuss the terms of distribution. Step 3: Review the details, such as marketing materials, catalogs, or product literature. Step 4: Hire a lawyer or an expert to draft the agreement.
A distribution agreement is a contract between a manufacturer and a distributor. The manufacturer grants the distributor the right to sell its products or services in a specified territory or market.
An exclusive reseller agreement grants the right of exclusivity to said reseller, limiting other companies from selling the same products within the agreed-upon geographic region. It also includes terms on how the reseller will be compensated for their services, as well as delivery times and service level agreements.
Examples of companies that use exclusive distribution include Apple for its high-priced and luxury products, as well as companies like Lamborghini, BMW, Rolex, and Mercedes. These companies appoint only a few distributors to cover a specific region, maintaining exclusivity in their distribution agreements.
In an exclusive agreement, the specified distributor will be the sole distributor with the right to sell the product within a particular geographic region or within multiple regions. If the arrangement is nonexclusive, the manufacturer or vendor may supply other distributors, sometimes competing in the same market.
A Standard Clause providing a distributor with the exclusive right to resell products purchased from a manufacturer, producer, or other supplier within a specified geographic territory during the term of the underlying distribution agreement.