Distributor Contract Template

Expand Your Reach: Draft distributorship contracts to outline responsibilities, secure terms, and build strong partnerships for product distribution success.

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Distributor CONTRACT
Jim Clark Co
Distributorship Contract
Jim Clark Co.
Participants
Distributor

John Doe

123 Main St

New York, Ny 10012

[email protected]

(212) 555-1212

Manufacturer

Jim Clark

3445 Ravenwood Dr

College Park, GA 30349

[email protected]

(404) 763-3294
Terms
1. Products Covered by the Agreement:
The Manufacturer agrees to supply, and the Distributor agrees to distribute the following products under this Agreement:

Products: [List detailed descriptions of the products to be distributed, including any brand names, models, and SKUs].
Exclusions: The following products are excluded from this Agreement: [List products not covered, if applicable].

2. Term of Agreement:

Start Date: This Agreement will commence on [Start Date].
End Date: The Agreement will end on [End Date], unless terminated earlier in accordance with the terms set forth herein.
Renewal: This Agreement [is/is not] subject to renewal. If applicable, either party must provide written notice of intent to renew at least [Specify time period, e.g., 30 days] before the end of the current term.

3. Geographic Territory:

The Distributor is authorized to distribute the Manufacturer's products within the following geographic region:
Territory: [Specify the geographic region, e.g., country, state, or specific regions].

4. Exclusivity:

Exclusivity Clause: This Agreement [is/is not] exclusive.
Exclusive Rights: If exclusive, the Manufacturer grants the Distributor exclusive rights to distribute the products within the territory specified in Section 3. The Manufacturer agrees not to appoint any other distributor or sell directly within the region during the term of this Agreement.
Non-Exclusivity: If non-exclusive, the Manufacturer reserves the right to appoint additional distributors or sell directly within the territory.

5. Pricing and Payment Terms:

Pricing: The Distributor agrees to purchase the products at the following price: [Specify product prices].
Payment Schedule: Payments are to be made as follows: [Specify payment terms, e.g., "payment due 30 days after receipt of invoice"].
Order Quantities: The minimum order quantity per transaction is [Specify minimum order quantity, if applicable].
Discounts and Commissions: The Distributor will receive the following discounts or commissions: [List any applicable discounts or commissions].
Retail Pricing: The Manufacturer [requires/suggests] that the Distributor sell the products at the following retail price: [Specify retail pricing, if applicable].
Payment Methods: Acceptable payment methods include [Specify methods, e.g., bank transfer, credit card, check].

6. Advertising and Promotion:

Manufacturer's Responsibilities: The Manufacturer agrees to provide the following promotional materials: [List advertising support, if any].
Distributor's Responsibilities: The Distributor agrees to promote and advertise the products within the designated territory. All advertising must comply with the following guidelines: [Specify advertising standards, if applicable].

7. Sales and Returns:

Sales Policy: The Distributor agrees to sell the products only within the designated territory, and any sales outside this region must be pre-approved by the Manufacturer.
Returns Policy: The Distributor may return unsold or defective products under the following conditions: [Specify conditions for returns, e.g., time frame for returns, restocking fees].
Defective Products: The Manufacturer agrees to replace or repair defective products that are returned within [Specify time period, e.g., 90 days] of purchase. The Distributor is responsible for reporting any defects immediately upon discovery.

8. Quality Standards and Warranties:

Quality Standards: The Manufacturer guarantees that the products supplied will meet the following quality standards: [Specify quality standards].
Warranties: The Manufacturer provides the following warranties for the products: [Specify warranties, e.g., "one-year manufacturer's warranty"]. The Distributor agrees to communicate these warranties to the end customer.

9. Product Liability:

Liability for Defects: The Manufacturer will be responsible for any claims related to defects in the product that result in injury, damage, or loss, except in cases where the defect was caused by improper handling, storage, or misuse by the Distributor or its customers.
Insurance Requirements: Both parties must maintain product liability insurance during the term of this Agreement. Proof of insurance must be provided upon request.

10. Amendments: This Agreement may be amended only by a written document signed by both parties. Any changes to this Agreement must be agreed upon and documented before they take effect.

11. Termination:

By Either Party: Either party may terminate this Agreement with [Specify notice period, e.g., 30 days] written notice.
For Cause: Either party may terminate the Agreement immediately if the other party breaches any material term and fails to cure the breach within [Specify period, e.g., 10 days] after receiving written notice of the breach.
Effect of Termination: Upon termination, the Distributor must return any unsold products, promotional materials, and confidential information to the Manufacturer. Any outstanding payments due to the Manufacturer must be settled within [Specify time period].

12. Dispute Resolution and Remedies:

Negotiation: The parties will first attempt to resolve any disputes arising from this Agreement through informal negotiation.
Mediation: If negotiation fails, the parties agree to attempt mediation with a neutral third party.
Arbitration: If mediation fails, disputes will be resolved through binding arbitration under the rules of [Specify arbitration association].
Governing Law: This Agreement will be governed by the laws of [Specify State/Country].

13. Signatures:

By signing below, the parties agree to the terms and conditions outlined in this Distribution Agreement.

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior negotiations, representations, or agreements, whether written or oral. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
Signatures
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John Doe

Click to sign

Jim Clark

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What is a Distributorship Contract?

A distributorship contract is a powerful partnership tool that brings suppliers (or manufacturers) and distributors together. It sets the stage for successful teamwork, covering key aspects like:

Territory: Where the distributor can sell products
Products: What they can sell, and what's off-limits
Pricing: How much can they charge?
Payment terms: When and how the supplier will pay
Duration: How long the partnership will last

Who is the Contract Between?

Let's get familiar with the two main players in a distributorship contract:

Supplier/Manufacturer: A company that makes things and wants to sell them to more people by working with a distributor.

Distributor: A company or person who buys products from a supplier and sells them to stores or customers in a designated area. Think of it like their turf.

Exclusive or Non-Exclusive: Which Way to Go?

When teaming up with a distributor, you can have an exclusive agreement or non-exclusive agreement with them. Choose wisely to help make your partnership a success!

Exclusive Agreement: An exclusive deal gives the distributor sole rights to sell products in a certain territory. It also means the supplier can't appoint other distributors to sell directly in that same area. Exclusive agreements are perfect for building a strong partnership with clear boundaries.
When to Use An Exclusive Agreement: An exclusive deal makes sense when the seller expects the buyer to put in a lot of effort to promote the product, like spending money on ads or building a sales team. It also works well when both sides need to trust each other to make the brand successful in a certain market.
Non-Exclusive Agreement: A non-exclusive deal lets the supplier hire more than one distributor to sell their products in the same area or even sell them directly. This gives the supplier more freedom, but the distributor might not try as hard to promote the product because they’re not the only ones selling it.
When to Use a Non-Exclusive Agreement: When the supplier wants to cover more ground with multiple distributors or the product is already popular, requiring less effort from each distributor.

Why Should I Use a Distributor Contract?

A distributorship contract is a must-have for both suppliers and distributors. The contract lays out all the expectations, preventing misunderstandings and keeping everyone on the same page. If things go sideways, there's a clear plan for how to handle it.

What Terms Should Be Included in the Contract?

To make sure the distributor agreement is solid, be sure to include these must-have terms:

Territory: This section spells out exactly where the distributor is allowed to sell the products. This helps prevent clashes with other distributors and makes sure the distributor knows their market area. A clear territory keeps things fair and avoids arguments about who gets to sell where. It also lets the distributor focus their energy on their area without worrying about competition.
Products: This section lists what the distributor can sell, including product descriptions, model numbers, and any rules about which products are off-limits. Clearly stating the products helps the seller know exactly what they’re responsible for selling and stops them from accidentally selling things they’re not supposed to.
Pricing and Payment Terms: Clearly outline how much the products will cost, including special deals or discounts. Also, add when payments are due and how they should be made. Don’t forget to mention if the prices might change under certain conditions. Clear pricing and payment terms avoid confusion and make sure both parties are on the same page about money matters.
Duration of the Contract: This section outlines when the contract begins and ends. It also includes information about renewing the contract and when it can be canceled early. Knowing how long the deal will last is like setting a timer. It helps both sides plan ahead and make smart decisions about their business.
Obligations of the Distributor: This section outlines the distributor's responsibilities, including keeping enough products in stock, promoting the products, and helping customers. It also sets goals for how well the distributor does. Laying out the seller’s responsibilities is like setting the rules of the game. It makes sure they know what's expected of them and helps the supplier see how well they’re doing.
Obligations of the Supplier: It’s not just about selling. The supplier should also provide things like advertising materials and training and make sure the products get to the distributor on time. Include any support the supplier will give the seller to help them succeed. Knowing what the supplier is committed to doing helps the distributor understand how much support they can expect and what tools they’ll have to work with.
Termination Clause: This section outlines situations where either party can end the contract, such as breaking the agreement, not meeting sales goals, or going bankrupt. It also needs to include how much notice is needed before ending the contract. A termination clause might seem like a bad idea, but it’s a backup plan. If things go south, it gives both sides a clear way to end the relationship without drama.
Confidentiality Agreement: Make sure to protect any sensitive information shared, like pricing strategies, customer lists, or marketing plans. A confidentiality clause will keep these things private even after the deal is over. Protecting confidential information helps a business stay ahead of the competition and stops sensitive info from falling into the wrong hands.

How To Distribute a Contract Made From a Butterscotch Template

Tired of the hassle of creating and managing distributorship contracts? Simplify the process with Butterscotch's customizable templates! Here's why you'll love us:

Templates On Demand: Add the info you need, change whatever sections don't work, and make the template fit your needs. You can even personalize your contract by adding your personal branding.
Send with a Click: Forget printing, scanning, and mailing. Securely send contracts electronically!
Electronic Signatures: Get them signed with electronic signatures by all parties from anywhere.
Status Tracking: Monitor the status of every contract at a glance, from changes made and when another party has signed.
Centralized Storage: All your documents are securely stored in one digital location, accessible anytime, anywhere.

With Butterscotch, you can streamline the contract creation process, reduce errors, and strengthen your business relationships.

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