1. Interpretation
1.1 Definitions:
Business Day: a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday in England, when banks in London are open for business.
Business Hours: the period from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm on any Business Day.
Conditions: the terms and conditions set out in this document as amended from time to time in accordance with clause 14.4.
Contract: the contract between the Supplier and the Customer for the sale and purchase of the Goods in accordance with these Conditions.
Customer: the person or firm who purchases the Goods from the Supplier.
Customer Product: the products provided by the Customer to the Supplier specifically as part of the Supplier’s supply of Services.
Deliverables: the deliverables set out in the Order and produced by the Supplier for the Customer as part of the supply of the Services.
Delivery Location: such location as agreed between the parties in accordance with clause 4.2.
Force Majeure Event: an event, circumstance or cause beyond a party’s reasonable control including:
(a) acts of God, flood, drought, earthquake or other natural disaster;
(b) pandemic or epidemic;
(c) terrorist attack, civil war, civil commotion or riots, war, threat of or preparation for war, armed conflict, imposition of sanctions, embargo, or breaking off of diplomatic relations;
(d) nuclear, chemical or biological contamination or sonic boom;
(e) any law or action taken by a government or public authority, including imposing an export or import restriction, quota or prohibition; and
(f) collapse of buildings, fire, explosion or accident.
Goods: the goods (or any part of them) set out in the Order.
Goods Specification: any specification for the Goods, including any related plans and drawings, that is agreed in writing by the Customer and the Supplier.
Intellectual Property Rights: patents, utility models, rights to inventions, copyright and neighbouring and related rights, moral rights, trade marks and service marks, business names and domain names, rights in get-up and trade dress, goodwill and the right to sue for passing off or unfair competition, rights in designs, rights in computer software, database rights, rights to use, and protect the confidentiality of, confidential information (including know-how and trade secrets), and all other intellectual property rights, in each case whether registered or unregistered and including all applications and rights to apply for and be granted, renewals or extensions of, and rights to claim priority from, such rights and all similar or equivalent rights or forms of protection which subsist or will subsist now or in the future in any part of the world.
Order: the Customer’s order for the Goods or Services or Goods and Services, as set out in the Customer’s purchase order form, the Customer’s written acceptance of the Supplier’s quotation, or overleaf, as the case may be.
Services: the services supplied by the Supplier to the Customer as set out in the Service Specification, including but not limited to the coating of the Customer Product.
Service Specification: the description or specification for the Services provided in writing to the Customer.
Supplier: Silson Limited, registered in England and Wales with company number 02885148 and whose registered office is at 1 Insight Park, Welsh Road East, Southam, CV47 1NE.
Warranty Period: has the meaning given in clause 5.1.
1.2 Interpretation:
(a) A person includes a natural person, corporate or unincorporated body (whether or not having separate legal personality).
(b) A reference to a party includes its personal representatives, successors and permitted assigns.
(c) A reference to legislation or a legislative provision is a reference to it as amended or re-enacted. A reference to legislation or a legislative provision includes all subordinate legislation made under that legislation or legislative provision.
(d) Any words following the terms including, include, in particular, for example or any similar expression shall be interpreted as illustrative and shall not limit the sense of the words preceding those terms.
(e) A reference to writing or written excludes fax but not email.
2. Basis of contract
2.1 These Conditions apply to the Contract to the exclusion of any other terms that the Customer seeks to impose or incorporate, or which are implied by law, trade custom, practice or course of dealing.
2.2 The Order constitutes an offer by the Customer to purchase the Goods or Services or Goods and Services in accordance with these Conditions. The Customer is responsible for ensuring that the terms of the Order and any applicable Specification submitted by the Customer are complete and accurate.
2.3 The Order shall only be deemed to be accepted when the Supplier issues a written acceptance of the Order, at which point and on which date the Contract shall come into existence.
2.4 The Customer waives any right it might otherwise have to rely on any term endorsed upon, delivered with or contained in any documents of the Customer that is inconsistent with these Conditions.
2.5 Any samples, drawings, descriptive matter or advertising produced by the Supplier and any descriptions or illustrations contained in the Supplier’s catalogues or brochures are produced for the sole purpose of giving an approximate idea of the Goods and Services referred to in them. They shall not form part of the Contract nor have any contractual force.
2.6 A quotation for the Goods given by the Supplier shall not constitute an offer. A quotation shall only be valid for a period of 30 Business Days from its date of issue.
2.7 All of these Conditions shall apply to the supply of both Goods and Services except where application to one or the other is specified.
3. Goods
3.1 The Goods are described in the Supplier’s catalogue as modified by any applicable Specification.
3.2 The Customer shall indemnify the Supplier against all liabilities, costs, expenses, damages and losses (including any direct, indirect or consequential losses, loss of profit, loss of reputation and all interest, penalties and legal and other reasonable professional costs and expenses) suffered or incurred by the Supplier in connection with any claim made against the Supplier for actual or alleged infringement of a third party’s intellectual property rights arising out of or in connection with the Supplier’s use of the Specification. This clause 3.2 shall survive termination of the Contract.
3.3 The Supplier reserves the right to amend the Specification if required by any applicable statutory or regulatory requirement, and the Supplier shall notify the Customer in any such event.
4. Delivery
4.1 The Supplier shall ensure that:
(a) each delivery of the Goods is accompanied by a delivery note that shows the date of the Order, all relevant Customer and Supplier reference numbers, the type and quantity of the Goods (including the code number of the Goods, where applicable), special storage instructions (if any) and, if the Goods are being delivered by instalments, the outstanding balance of Goods remaining to be delivered; and
(b) if the Supplier requires the Customer to return any packaging materials to the Supplier, that fact is clearly stated on the delivery note. The Customer shall make any such packaging materials available for collection at such times as the Supplier shall reasonably request. Returns of packaging materials shall be at the Supplier’s expense.
4.2 The Supplier shall deliver the Goods to the location set out in the Order or such other location as the parties may agree at any time after the Supplier notifies the Customer that the Goods are ready. Alternatively, and only if this has been agreed between the parties when the Contract came into existence, the Customer shall collect the Goods from the Supplier’s premises at 1 Insight Park, Welsh Road East, Southam, CV47 1NE or such other location as may be advised by the Supplier prior to delivery within five Business Days of the Supplier notifying the Customer that the Goods are ready.
4.3 Subject to the provision in clause 4.2, delivery is completed either on collection of the Goods by the Customer at the Delivery Location, or on completion of unloading of the Goods at the Delivery Location.
4.4 Any dates quoted for delivery are approximate only, and the time of delivery is not of the essence. The Supplier shall not be liable for any delay in delivery of the Goods that is caused by a Force Majeure Event or the Customer’s failure to provide the Supplier with adequate delivery instructions or any other instructions that are relevant to the supply of the Goods.
4.5 If the Supplier fails to deliver the Goods, its liability shall be limited to the costs and expenses incurred by the Customer in obtaining replacement goods of similar description and quality in the cheapest market available, less the price of the Goods. The Supplier shall have no liability for any failure to deliver the Goods to the extent that such failure is caused by a Force Majeure Event or the Customer’s failure to provide the Supplier with adequate delivery instructions or any other instructions that are relevant to the supply of the Goods.
4.6 If the Customer fails to take delivery of the Goods within seven Business Days of the Supplier notifying the Customer that the Goods are ready, then, except where such failure or delay is caused by a Force Majeure Event or the Supplier’s failure to comply with its obligations under the Contract in respect of the Goods:
(a) delivery of the Goods shall be deemed to have been completed at 9.00 am on the third Business Day after the day on which the Supplier notified the Customer that the Goods were ready; and
(b) the Supplier shall store the Goods until actual delivery takes place, and charge the Customer for all related costs and expenses (including insurance).
4.7 If ten Business Days after the day on which the Supplier notified the Customer that the Goods were ready for delivery the Customer has not taken actual delivery of them, the Supplier may resell or otherwise dispose of part or all of the Goods and account to the Customer for any excess over the price of the Goods or charge the Customer for any shortfall below the price of the Goods.
4.8 The Supplier may deliver the Goods by instalments, which shall be invoiced and paid for separately. Each instalment shall constitute a separate contract. Any delay in delivery or defect in an instalment shall not entitle the Customer to cancel any other instalment.
5. Quality
5.1 The Supplier warrants that on delivery, and for a period of 12 months from the date of delivery (Warranty Period), the Goods shall:
(a) conform with their description or the Specification as the case may be;
(b) be free from material defects in design, material and workmanship;
(c) be of satisfactory quality (within the meaning of the Sale of Goods Act 1979); and
(d) be fit for any purpose held out by the Supplier.
5.2 Subject to clause 5.3, if:
(a) the Customer gives notice in writing to the Supplier during the Warranty Period within a reasonable time of discovery that some or all of the Goods do not comply with the warranty set out in clause 5.1;
(b) the Supplier is given a reasonable opportunity of examining such Goods; and
(c) the Customer (if asked to do so by the Supplier) returns such Goods to the Supplier’s place of business at the Customer’s cost,
the Supplier shall, at its option, repair or replace the defective Goods, or refund the price of the defective Goods in full.
5.3 The Supplier shall not be liable for the Goods’ failure to comply with the warranty set out in clause 5.1 if:
(a) the Customer makes any further use of such Goods after giving notice in accordance with clause 5.2;
(b) the defect arises because the Customer failed to follow the Supplier’s oral or written instructions as to the storage, commissioning, installation, use or maintenance of the Goods or (if there are none) good trade practice regarding the same;
(c) the defect arises as a result of the Supplier following any drawing, design or specification supplied by the Customer;
(d) the defect arises following incorporation of the Goods to another product which has not been manufactured by the Supplier;
(e) the Customer alters or repairs such Goods without the written consent of the Supplier;
(f) the defect arises as a result of fair wear and tear, wilful damage, negligence, or abnormal storage or working conditions; or
(g) the Goods differ from their description as a result of changes made to ensure they comply with applicable statutory or regulatory requirements.
5.4 Except as provided in this clause 5, the Supplier shall have no liability to the Customer in respect of the Goods’ failure to comply with the warranty set out in clause 5.1.
5.5 The terms implied by sections 13 to 15 of the Sale of Goods Act 1979 are, to the fullest extent permitted by law, excluded from the Contract.
5.6 These Conditions shall apply to any repaired or replacement Goods supplied by the Supplier.
6. Title and risk
6.1 The risk in the Goods shall pass to the Customer on completion of delivery.
6.2 Title to the Goods shall not pass to the Customer until the Supplier receives payment in full (in cash or cleared funds) for the Goods and any other goods that the Supplier has supplied to the Customer in respect of which payment has become due, in which case title to the Goods shall pass at the time of payment of all such sums.
6.3 Until title to the Goods has passed to the Customer, the Customer shall:
(a) store the Goods separately from all other goods held by the Customer so that they remain readily identifiable as the Supplier’s property;
(b) not remove, deface or obscure any identifying mark or packaging on or relating to the Goods;
(c) maintain the Goods in satisfactory condition and keep them insured against all risks for their full price from the date of delivery;
(d) notify the Supplier immediately if it becomes subject to any of the events listed in clause 12.1(b) to clause 12.1(d); and
(e) give the Supplier such information as the Supplier may reasonably require from time to time relating to:
(i) the Goods; and
(ii) the ongoing financial position of the Customer.
6.4 At any time before title to the Goods passes to the Customer, the Supplier may require the Customer to deliver up all Goods in its possession that have not been resold, or irrevocably incorporated into another product and if the Customer fails to do so promptly, enter any premises of the Customer or of any third party where the Goods are stored in order to recover them.
7. Supply of Services
7.1 The Supplier shall supply the Services to the Customer in accordance with the Service Specification in all material respects.
7.2 The Supplier shall use all reasonable endeavours to meet any performance dates for the Services specified in the Order, but any such dates shall be estimates only and time shall not be of the essence for the performance of the Services.
7.3 The Supplier reserves the right to amend the Service Specification if necessary to comply with any applicable law or regulatory requirement, or if the amendment will not materially affect the nature or quality of the Services, and the Supplier shall notify the Customer in any such event.
7.4 The Supplier warrants to the Customer that the Services will be provided using reasonable care and skill.
8. Customer’s obligations
8.1 The Customer shall:
(a) ensure that the terms of the Order are complete and accurate;
(b) provide the Supplier with such information and materials as the Supplier may reasonably require in order to supply the Services, and ensure that such information is complete and accurate in all material respects;
(c) obtain and maintain all necessary licences, permissions and consents which may be required for the Services before the date on which the Services are to start; and
(d) comply with any additional obligations as set ou in the Service Specification or Goods Specification or both.
8.2 If the Supplier’s performance of any of its obligations under the Contract is prevented or delayed by any act or omission by the Customer or failure by the Customer to perform any relevant obligation (Customer Default):
(a) without limiting or affecting any other right or remedy available to it, the Supplier shall have the right to suspend performance of the Services until the Customer remedies the Customer Default, and to rely on the Customer Default to relieve it from the performance of any of its obligations in each case to the extent the Customer Default prevents or delays the Supplier’s performance of any of its obligations;
(b) the Supplier shall not be liable for any costs or losses sustained or incurred by the Customer arising directly or indirectly from the Supplier’s failure or delay to perform any of its obligations as set out in this clause 8.2; and
(c) the Customer shall reimburse the Supplier on written demand for any costs or losses sustained or incurred by the Supplier arising directly or indirectly from the Customer Default.
9. Price and payment
9.1 The price of the Goods and Services shall be the price set out in the Order, or, if no price is quoted, the price set out in the Supplier’s published price list in force as at the date of delivery.
9.2 The Supplier may, by giving notice to the Customer at any time up to 14 Business Days before delivery, increase the price of the Goods or Services to reflect any increase in the cost of the Goods or supply of Services that is due to:
(a) any factor beyond the Supplier’s control (including foreign exchange fluctuations, increases in taxes and duties, and increases in labour, materials and other manufacturing costs);
(b) any request by the Customer to change the supply date, delivery date(s), quantities or types of Goods ordered, or the Specification; or
(c) any delay caused by any instructions of the Customer or failure of the Customer to give the Supplier adequate or accurate information or instructions.
9.3 All amounts payable by the Customer under the Contract:
(a) exclude amounts in respect of value added tax (VAT), which the Customer shall additionally be liable to pay to the Supplier at the prevailing rate, subject to the receipt of a valid VAT invoice; and
(b) exclude the costs and charges of packaging, insurance and transport of the Goods, which shall be invoiced to the Customer.
9.4 The Supplier may invoice the Customer for the Goods on or at any time after the completion of delivery. In respect of the Services, the Supplier shall invoice the Customer on completion of the Services.
9.5 The Customer shall pay each invoice submitted by the Supplier:
(a) within 30 days of the date of the invoice; and
(b) in full and in cleared funds to a bank account nominated in writing by the Supplier, and
time for payment shall be of the essence of the Contract.
9.6 If the Customer fails to make a payment due to the Supplier under the Contract by the due date, then, without limiting the Supplier’s remedies under clause 12, the Customer shall pay interest on the overdue sum from the due date until payment of the overdue sum, whether before or after judgment. Interest under this clause 9.6 will accrue each day at 4% a year above the Bank of England’s base rate from time to time, but at 4% a year for any period when that base rate is below 0%.
9.7 All amounts due under the Contract shall be paid in full without any set-off, counterclaim, deduction or withholding (other than any deduction or withholding of tax as required by law).
10. Intellectual property rights
10.1 All Intellectual Property Rights in or arising out of or in connection with the Services (other than Intellectual Property Rights in the Customer Product and any materials provided by the Customer) shall be owned by the Supplier.
10.2 The Supplier grants to the Customer, or shall procure the direct grant to the Customer of, a fully paid-up, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free perpetual and irrevocable licence to use the Deliverables (excluding materials provided by the Customer) for the purpose of receiving and using the Services and the Deliverables in its business.
10.3 The Customer shall not sub-license, assign or otherwise transfer the rights granted by clause 10.2.
10.4 The Customer grants the Supplier a fully paid-up, non-exclusive, royalty-free non-transferable licence to use and modify the Customer Product and any materials provided by the Customer to the Supplier for the term of the Contract for the purpose of providing the Services to the Customer.
11. Limitation of liability
11.1 The limits and exclusions in this clause reflect the insurance cover the Supplier has been able to arrange and the Customer is responsible for making its own arrangements for the insurance of any excess liability.
11.2 References to liability in this clause 11 include every kind of liability arising under or in connection with the Contract including liability in contract, tort (including negligence), misrepresentation, restitution or otherwise.
11.3 Nothing in the Contract limits any liability for:
(a) death or personal injury caused by negligence;
(b) fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation;
(c) breach of the terms implied by section 12 of the Sale of Goods Act 1979 or section 2 of the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 (title and quiet possession);
(d) defective products under the Consumer Protection Act 1987; or
(e) any liability that legally cannot be limited.
11.4 Subject to clause 11.3, the Supplier’s total liability to the Customer shall not exceed the value of the Contract.
11.5 Subject to clause 11.3, the following types of loss are wholly excluded:
(a) loss of profits;
(b) loss of sales or business;
(c) loss of agreements or contracts;
(d) loss of anticipated savings;
(e) loss of use or corruption of software, data or information;
(f) loss of or damage to goodwill; and
(g) indirect or consequential loss.
11.6 Notwithstanding the provisions of clause 7.4 above, the Supplier shall not be liable to the Customer for any indirect or consequential damage to the Customer Product, subject to such damage not being caused by the Supplier’s or any of its employees’ negligence or misconduct.
11.7 In the event of indirect or consequential damage to the Customer Product, the Customer shall, at its own expense, provide the Supplier with additional Customer Product so that the Supplier may supply the Services in accordance with these Conditions.
11.8 This clause 11 shall survive termination of the Contract.
12. Termination
12.1 Without limiting its other rights or remedies, the Supplier may terminate this Contract with immediate effect by giving written notice to the Customer if:
(a) the Customer commits a material breach of any term of the Contract and (if such a breach is remediable) fails to remedy that breach within 14 days of that party being notified in writing to do so;
(b) the Customer takes any step or action in connection with its entering administration, provisional liquidation or any composition or arrangement with its creditors (other than in relation to a solvent restructuring), obtaining a moratorium, being wound up (whether voluntarily or by order of the court, unless for the purpose of a solvent restructuring), having a receiver appointed to any of its assets or ceasing to carry on business or, if the step or action is taken in another jurisdiction, in connection with any analogous procedure in the relevant jurisdiction;
(c) the Customer suspends, threatens to suspend, ceases or threatens to cease to carry on all or a substantial part of its business; or
(d) the Customer’s financial position deteriorates so far as to reasonably justify the opinion that its ability to give effect to the terms of the Contract is in jeopardy.
12.2 Without limiting its other rights or remedies, the Supplier may suspend provision of the Goods or supply of Services under the Contract or any other contract between the Customer and the Supplier if the Customer becomes subject to any of the events listed in clause 12.1(b) to clause 12.1(d), or the Supplier reasonably believes that the Customer is about to become subject to any of them, or if the Customer fails to pay any amount due under this Contract on the due date for payment.
12.3 Without limiting its other rights or remedies, the Supplier may terminate the Contract with immediate effect by giving written notice to the Customer if the Customer fails to pay any amount due under the Contract on the due date for payment.
12.4 On termination of the Contract for any reason the Customer shall immediately pay to the Supplier all of the Supplier’s outstanding unpaid invoices and interest and, in respect of Goods and Services supplied but for which no invoice has been submitted, the Supplier shall submit an invoice, which shall be payable by the Customer immediately on receipt.
12.5 Termination of the Contract, however arising, shall not affect any of the parties’ rights and remedies that have accrued as at termination, including the right to claim damages in respect of any breach of the Contract which existed at or before the date of termination.
12.6 Any provision of the Contract that expressly or by implication is intended to come into or continue in force on or after termination of the Contract shall remain in full force and effect.
13. Force majeure
Neither party shall be in breach of the Contract or otherwise liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations if such delay or failure results from a Force Majeure Event. The time for performance of such obligations shall be extended accordingly. If the period of delay or non-performance continues for 30 days, the party not affected may terminate the Contract by giving 21 days’ written notice, in accordance with clause 14.7, to the affected party.
14. General
14.1 Assignment and other dealings.
(a) The Supplier may at any time assign, transfer, mortgage, charge, subcontract, delegate, declare a trust over or deal in any other manner with all or any of its rights or obligations under the Contract.
(b) The Customer may not assign, transfer, mortgage, charge, subcontract, delegate, declare a trust over or deal in any other manner with any or all of its rights or obligations under the Contract without the prior written consent of the Supplier.
14.2 Confidentiality.
(a) Each party undertakes that it shall not at any time disclose to any person any confidential information concerning the business, assets, affairs, customers, clients or suppliers of the other party, except as permitted by clause 14.2(b).
(b) Each party may disclose the other party’s confidential information:
(i) to its employees, officers, representatives, contractors, subcontractors or advisers who need to know such information for the purposes of exercising the party’s rights or carrying out its obligations under the Contract. Each party shall ensure that its employees, officers, representatives, contractors, subcontractors or advisers to whom it discloses the other party’s confidential information comply with this clause 14.2; and
(ii) as may be required by law, a court of competent jurisdiction or any governmental or regulatory authority.
(c) Neither party shall use the other party’s confidential information for any purpose other than to exercise its rights and perform its obligations under or in connection with the Contract.
14.3 Entire agreement.
(a) The Contract constitutes the entire agreement between the parties.
(b) Each party acknowledges that in entering into the Contract it does not rely on any statement, representation, assurance or warranty (whether made innocently or negligently) that is not set out in the Contract. Each party agrees that it shall have no claim for innocent or negligent misrepresentation or negligent misstatement based on any statement in the Contract.
14.4 Variation. No variation of this Contract shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by the parties (or their authorised representatives).
14.5 Waiver.
(a) A waiver of any right or remedy is only effective if given in writing [and shall not be deemed a waiver of any subsequent right or remedy.
(b) A delay or failure to exercise, or the single or partial exercise of, any right or remedy shall not waive that or any other right or remedy, nor shall it prevent or restrict the further exercise of that or any other right or remedy.
14.6 Severance. If any provision or part-provision of the Contract is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable, it shall be deemed deleted, but that shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the rest of the Contract. If any provision of the Contract is deemed deleted under this clause 14.6 the parties shall negotiate in good faith to agree a replacement provision that, to the greatest extent possible, achieves the intended commercial result of the original provision.
14.7 Notices.
(a) Any notice given to a party under or in connection with the Contract shall be in writing and shall be:
(i) delivered by hand or by pre-paid first-class post or other next working day delivery service at its registered office (if a company) or its principal place of business (in any other case); and
(ii) may be confirmed by email to the addresses as agreed between the parties (or an address substituted in writing by the party to be served).
(b) Any notice shall be deemed to have been received:
(i) if delivered by hand, at the time the notice is left at the proper address;
(ii) if sent by pre-paid first-class post or other next working day delivery service, at 9.00 am on the second Business Day after posting; and
(iii) if confirmed by email, at the time of transmission, or, if this time falls outside Business Hours in the place of receipt, when Business Hours resume.
(c) This clause does not apply to the service of any proceedings or other documents in any legal action or, where applicable, any arbitration or other method of dispute resolution.
14.8 Third party rights.
(a) The Contract does not give rise to any rights under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of the Contract.
(b) The rights of the parties to rescind or vary the Contract are not subject to the consent of any other person.
14.9 Governing law. The Contract, and any dispute or claim (including non-contractual disputes or claims) arising out of or in connection with it or its subject matter or formation, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of England and Wales.
14.10 Jurisdiction. Each party irrevocably agrees that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim (including non-contractual disputes or claims) arising out of or in connection with the Contract or its subject matter or formation.