Manufacturing Agreement Template for England and Wales

A Manufacturing Agreement sets out the terms for one company to produce goods on behalf of another. It's the key contract that manufacturers and brands use to protect their interests when outsourcing production, covering everything from quality standards to delivery schedules.

Under English law, these agreements typically detail intellectual property rights, confidentiality obligations, and compliance with local manufacturing regulations. They spell out critical elements like minimum order quantities, pricing structures, and what happens if products don't meet specifications. Good agreements also address liability issues and include clear termination provisions to protect both parties.

A Manufacturing Agreement becomes essential when you're planning to outsource the production of your goods to another company. This is particularly important for businesses expanding their product lines or scaling up manufacturing without investing in their own facilities.

Use this agreement before starting any production relationship - it protects your intellectual property, sets quality standards, and establishes clear responsibilities. It's especially crucial in regulated industries like medical devices or food production, where UK compliance standards are strict. The agreement also helps when moving production to new suppliers or entering arrangements where your designs or formulas need protection.

• Manufacturing And Supply Agreement: Comprehensive agreement covering both production and ongoing supply chain obligations, ideal for long-term partnerships
• Manufacturing Licence Agreement: Focuses on intellectual property rights and permissions to manufacture using proprietary designs or processes
• Manufacturing Representative Agreement: For appointing sales agents to represent and sell manufactured products in specific territories
• Contract Manufacturing Contract: Simplified agreement for straightforward outsourced production arrangements with clear specifications

• Brand Owners: Companies seeking to outsource production of their products, often including tech firms, fashion brands, and consumer goods manufacturers who own designs but lack production facilities
• Contract Manufacturers: Factories and production facilities that make products to order, ranging from small specialist workshops to large-scale industrial manufacturers
• Legal Teams: In-house counsel and external solicitors who draft and review these agreements to ensure compliance with UK manufacturing regulations
• Quality Control Officers: Staff responsible for monitoring production standards and ensuring adherence to specifications
• Supply Chain Managers: Professionals overseeing the practical implementation of manufacturing agreements, including scheduling and logistics

• Product Specifications: Gather detailed technical requirements, quality standards, and any industry-specific certifications needed
• Production Details: Define minimum order quantities, lead times, and production capacity requirements
• Intellectual Property: Document all designs, patents, or trade secrets that need protection
• Quality Control: Outline inspection procedures, acceptance criteria, and testing requirements
• Commercial Terms: Collect pricing structures, payment terms, and delivery requirements
• Compliance Requirements: Research relevant UK manufacturing standards and regulations for your industry
• Automated Generation: Use our platform to create a legally-sound agreement that incorporates all these elements correctly

• Parties and Scope: Clear identification of manufacturer and client, with detailed production specifications
• Quality Standards: Specific quality requirements, testing procedures, and acceptance criteria
• Intellectual Property: Protection of designs, patents, and confidential information
• Payment Terms: Pricing structure, payment schedules, and currency specifications
• Delivery Terms: Timelines, shipping responsibilities, and transfer of risk provisions
• Warranties: Product quality guarantees and defect remediation processes
• Termination Rights: Conditions for ending the agreement and wind-down procedures
• Governing Law: Explicit choice of English law and jurisdiction for dispute resolution

A Manufacturing Agreement differs significantly from a Contract Manufacturing Agreement in several key aspects, though they may seem similar at first glance. The main distinction lies in their scope and level of commitment.

• Scope of Control: Manufacturing Agreements typically grant broader control over production processes and quality standards to the brand owner, while Contract Manufacturing Agreements often give more autonomy to the manufacturer
• Duration and Commitment: Manufacturing Agreements usually establish longer-term, strategic partnerships, whereas Contract Manufacturing Agreements often cover specific production runs or shorter periods
• Intellectual Property Rights: Manufacturing Agreements include more extensive IP protection and transfer provisions, while Contract Manufacturing Agreements focus primarily on production specifications
• Quality Control: Manufacturing Agreements typically include more detailed quality control procedures and brand standards, compared to the more basic quality requirements in Contract Manufacturing Agreements