Mellanhänder

Mellanhänder is a Swedish term for an intermediary that connects buyers and sellers and facilitates transactions. The concept covers actors who sit between parties to match demand and supply, negotiate terms, and sometimes arrange logistics or financing. Mellanhänder can operate in many sectors, from goods to services.

Common forms include brokers, agents, distributors, wholesalers, and procurement intermediaries. A broker typically represents a client to find counterparts and negotiates on commission. An agent may be authorized to bind a principal in contracts. A distributor buys products to sell on its own account, providing market access and handling downstream distribution.

Functions often include market research, information exchange, price discovery, contract negotiation, risk allocation, quality control, logistics, and payment handling. Intermediaries can reduce search and transaction costs but may add their own fees and risk of conflicts of interest. They may also provide credit or guarantees and help ensure regulatory compliance for cross-border deals.

Regulation and ethics emphasize transparency about fees and commissions, disclosure of conflicts of interest, and compliance with competition and consumer protection rules. The role of mellanhändare has evolved with digital platforms and globalization, with many intermediaries adding value through verification, trust-building, and efficient logistics rather than simply acting as middlemen.