How do I tell my 3PL’s clients about a sale without losing their stock contracts?
Tell clients when a buyer is serious and the contract terms are checked, starting with the largest ones, in person. Explain what changes, what stays the same, who runs their account and how their stock stays protected. Have your lawyer check which contracts need consent first.
Clients store their inventory with a 3PL because they trust it to be accurate and on time. News of a sale raises questions about that trust. Before you say anything, have your lawyer read the contracts for notice, consent and termination wording. Know which clients could leave and which might need to agree.
Plan the timing. Telling clients too early, before a buyer is committed, invites rumour and a hunt for alternatives. Telling them after closing feels like a surprise. Many owners tell the largest clients personally once a serious buyer is in place, then others by letter or call. Bring the buyer to a short meeting so clients can ask direct questions.
Prepare the message. Be ready to answer who will run their account, whether the staff and system stay, whether prices change and how their stock is protected during the transition. Offer a clear contact for the first period. Confirm in writing what stays the same. Do not promise what the buyer has not agreed to. Keep a log of who was told, and when. Afterward, follow up with each client and note any concerns, because the buyer will want to know. A lender or advisor can help you judge which clients need the most attention.
Key takeaways
- Have your lawyer check consent and termination wording first.
- Tell the biggest clients in person once the buyer is serious.
- Offer a named contact and confirm promises only if the buyer agrees.
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Sources
This answer is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentHow to minimize negotiations when selling your business
- 02Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentAfter buying a business, what is the next step?
- 03Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentHow to conduct due diligence when buying a business
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