Announcement – STL Distribution & Zondervan Distribution Agreement

STL Distribution is pleased to announce an agreement for continued distribution of Zondervan in the UK

STL Distribution has been the wholesale distributor for Zondervan in the UK for the past 15 years and is pleased to announce a continuity agreement has been reached, securing the on-going future of this important partnership.

The STL Distribution Supply Chain team are now working closely with Zondervan to bring stock into the Carlisle Warehouse to improve availability as soon as possible.

Ken Munro, CEO STL Distribution said, ‘We are very pleased to be able to continue this fruitful partnership and are looking forward to building on the success of the past 15 years. This ensures Zondervan products are available to the UK retail trade and can be ordered through our same day despatch service.’

Tracy Danz, Zondervan Vice President for Product Sales said, ‘We are happy to be represented by the same sales staff that has done admirably over the past 15 years. It is a critical time in UK bookselling and we believe this is the very best route to market for our titles.’

The STL Distribution Area Sales Managers are on the road and will be calling on you to present the spring list, including all the Zondervan new titles.

Up-to-date information on availability of products from Zondervan and other suppliers will be posted on this blog.

Kind Regards,

STL Distribution Blog Team

Returns and Credits

Following the acquisition of STL Distribution by John Ritchie, we have been working hard with both the Administrator Baker Tilly and with The Quartz Partnership who have been retained to collect payments due to IBS-STL UK in administration, to resolve a number of scenarios with respect to returns and credits. There is a level of complexity involved due to the combinations of wholesale and distribution product but the following should cover most scenarios:

Damages and Shortages
As a gesture of goodwill we have credited claims made for damages and shortages on invoices dated up to and including 18th December 2009 as per our terms and conditions (see below for the full details under claims). As we recognise there has been some disruption due to both the Christmas break and recent weather conditions, we will look favourably where possible on any delayed claims.

Promotional Recalls
Crown Christmas and Engage Oct-Dec 2009 – we are actively working with all parties to agree a way forward and hope to have a solution in place by the middle of the week. In the meantime stores have been asked to complete recall forms in the normal manner.

See-Safe Returns
There are a number of Publisher specific see-safe agreements in place and in many cases we now have confirmation to proceed. Please contact our customer services on 08457 056 568 for specific details.

The STL Blog Team in conjunction with Baker Tilly and the Quartz Partnership.

STLD Distribution Terms & Conditions
6. CLAIMS
Claims for any damages or shortages must be notified to the Carriers and the Consignors within three days of the receipt of Goods, with a copy sent to the Company within the same period. Written notice of claims for non-delivery must be given to the Company within 14 days of the invoice date or in the case of non- delivery of invoice within 21 days of the date of the original order. On no account will claims be considered if notified outside this period. Title pages or authorised returns of stock for credit/replacement must be received back at STL within 30 days of the notice of damage or loss being given.

FREE CARRIAGE on all UK orders

Over the next few weeks, we will continue to work hard to improve product availability and hope to restore high stock levels very soon.

To thank you for your patience during this time, we are offering free carriage on all UK orders until 31st January 2010.

To place an order, please visit www.stldistribution.co.uk, contact your Area Sales Manager or our Customer Service Department. All orders are despatched the same day when your order is placed before 2.30 pm by telephone, fax or email or 4.00 pm electronically.

Kind regards,

STL Distribution Blog Team