Importing products

[Althalus]

Say I have found a unique product that is available in another county that seems to be a really good idea and selling well.
I think there is a serious chance of getting sole EU distribution rights for my company, is this a good way to go?

Are any of you in a similar situation?
What kind of things would be needed, what needs to be looked out for?
What is the best way of getting said product with proven sales in another country onto shelves in this country and how would you target the rest of Europe? Sub-distributors/direct to retailer etc.

All hypothetically of course..
For the moment anyway!

[Gulliver]

You would need to give us some clues here, is it an industrial product ? Consumer good ? Food stuff ?

[Althalus]

Consumer goods, would be sold a bit like chewing gum on shop counters in garages etc- its not food tho!

[dtmpower]

the EU is a common market - you will only get sole rights from the manufacturer/distributor I would imagine, not a chance if you are importing it yourself

[Althalus]

It would be straight from the manufacturer to me...
The manufacturer is outside the EU.

>> Edited by Althalus on Thursday 12th May 16:01

[Gulliver]

If you can negociate with him a standard distribution agreement for the whole of the EU, I can't see the problem.


There are some issues with exclusivity in the EU and stopping others selling the same stuff, but if you have a good agreement with the manufacturer, it should not be too much of an issue.

You can get standard reseller/distributors agreement templates on teh web.

The only difficulty at this stage is to get the manufacturer to sign with you a deal. After that you need to sign deals yourself with local distributors.

JL

[srebbe64]

Technically having geographic exclusivity in Europe breaks free trade rules. In reality, a company marketing a product will want some assurances that their marketing costs are protected. What you need is an assurance from the manufacturer that he has no plans to appoint another partner in your geographic area. The challenge really starts if the venture becomes succesful and (a) other agents / distributors approach the principal; (b) customers start to go direct to the manufacturer cutting you out the middle. What it comes down to is "trust" on both sides. I would suggest some plain / transparent discussions with the principal, which are then written down and agreed by letter.