mellomhandler

A mellomhandler, or intermediary, is a person or company that connects buyers and sellers, facilitates negotiation, and often handles transactional tasks such as pricing, terms, documentation, and payment. Depending on the arrangement, the intermediary may or may not take title to the goods.

Functions and forms: Typical forms include brokers or agents who act on behalf of one party under contract, distributors or wholesalers who purchase goods and resell, and digital platforms that match supply with demand. Some mellomhandlere operate without taking ownership, while others assume ownership and manage inventory, risk, and credit.

Role in market efficiency: Intermediaries reduce information and search costs, broaden market access, and speed up transactions. They may provide services such as quality control, logistics, financing, and after-sales support. By aggregating demand or supply, they can improve price discovery and transaction reliability in complex or geographically dispersed markets.

Costs and risks: Intermediaries earn commissions, fees, or margins. Their incentives should align with client objectives, as misaligned interests can raise total costs or create disputes over quality or delivery. Liability and regulatory exposure vary by contract terms and local law, including disclosure duties, fiduciary duties in some relationships, and competition rules.

Industry usage: Mellomhandlere appear across sectors, including commodity trading, real estate, manufacturing procurement, logistics, and online marketplaces. They play a central role in linking supply chains, enabling smaller actors to access broader markets and facilitating cross-border trade.

Related terms include broker, agent, and distributor.