General Conditions of Sale and Delivery

of VENTURA SYSTEMS HEINEMANN GmbH,
Thaddäusstr.113, D-33415 Verl – Germany

1. Scope

1.1 The following General Conditions of Sale and Delivery (hereinafter: ‘GCSD’) apply to the handling of all our deliveries of goods and to any related services to enterprises within the meaning of Section 310 (1) of the German Civil Code (BGB). Any terms and conditions of the Customer that are at variance with our own GCSD require our explicit, written consent to obtain effect. Our GCSD shall also apply, if we are aware of GCSD used by the Customer that oppose or deviate from our own and execute delivery to the Customer without making reservations in this respect.

1.2 Our GCSD become an integral part of the contract at the latest when the delivery is accepted. In the case of permanent business relations, our GCSD also apply to future transactions even if they are not explicitly referred to, but have been sent to the Customer with a previous order confirmed by us.

1.3 The Technical Terms and Conditions included in the product-specific VENTURA catalogues known to the Customer shall also apply to all the products and services we supply.

1.4 In these GCSDs, the term ‘claims to damages’ also includes claims to compensation for expenses incurred to no avail.

2. Product application

2.1 All system components marketed by VENTURA SYSTEMS HEINEMANN GmbH (hereinafter: ‘VENTURA’) are designed for the fabrication of building systems (windows, doors and facades) by professional fabricators. Production is done by these specialised fabricators of the window and facade industry in compliance with the technical rules and knowledge of recognised standards of good practise and consideration of applicable norms and directives

2.2 The verifiable receipt of all system components from VENTURA are binding for the Customer. The Customer is obliged to follow strictly, in each detail, the VENTURA Fabrication Instructions. The use of so called „grey parts“, meaning parts from third parties (profiles, accessories, gaskets, fittings, and other NON-VENTURA signed and certified parts will lapse any existing Evidence of Performance and the use of the name of VENTURA towards third parties.

2.3 Purchase of semi-finished (kits) or finished building units requires a professional production and installation of the products, according to 2.1. 2.4 The Customer is responsible to check whether the applied product will fulfil the job for the case of use according to existing applicable regulations, standards or any other building codes. In doubt the Customer has to crosscheck with facade consultants, architect and planners the correct use before placing the order.

3. Orders and subsequent changes

3.1 All our offers are non-binding until a written confirmation of order has been issued.

3.2 Orders submitted by the Customer are binding. We may accept them within two weeks after receipt either in writing or by delivering the goods to the Customer. If the order is submitted electronically and a confirmation of receipt is issued, said confirmation of receipt does not constitute a binding acceptance of the order. The confirmation of order may be attached to the confirmation of receipt.

4. Prices / Terms of payment / Price adjustments

4.1 Unless otherwise agreed, our prices are stated in Euro for ex works delivery (according to Incoterms 2010) and do not include freight, import taxes, customs duties and import ancillary duties and charges or packaging. Our prices do not include value added tax, which is separately itemised on the invoice at the statutory rate applicable on the invoice date.

4.2 Unless otherwise agreed or explicitly indicated on the invoice, payments for delivered goods must be made without deductions within 30 days of the invoice date.

4.3 The Customer may not set-off counterclaims unless they are undisputed, acknowledged by us, or established by a final court judgement. The Customer has a right to exercise a right of retention only if his counterclaim derives from the same contractual relationship.

4.4 Cheques are accepted as conditional payments only.

4.5 surpasses the time between confirmed order and day of delivery 30 days, we have the right to forward unforeseen price adjustments of our suppliers to the Customer.

4.6 Orders for tailormade products are only done by prepayment.

4.7 Consultancy charges are due by prepayment.

5. Deadlines for deliveries / Delivery / Delay

5.1 Only delivery dates explicitly agreed in writing are binding on us. Our written confirmation of order is authoritative. Any subsequent changes that we accept shall postpone agreed delivery dates, by a reasonable period according to the scope of changes desired, to a later date unless we have reconfirmed in writing that the originally agreed date will be met.

5.2 In the event that a non-binding delivery date is not met, the Customer may request us in writing after two weeks to deliver within a reasonable period. The aforementioned period shall be extended to four weeks if the goods in question are produced according to Customer specifications.

5.3 Compliance with delivery deadlines requires timely receipt of all documents, required licences and clearances to be provided by the Customer, as well as compliance with the agreed terms of payment and other obligations on the part of the Customer. If these preconditions are not met, the deadlines shall be extended by a reasonable amount; this rule shall not apply if we are responsible for the delay.

5.4 Compliance with a delivery date is conditional on our own respective suppliers delivering properly and on time.

5.5 If the goods are not accepted on the agreed delivery date or are not accepted in a timely manner by the Customer, we may exercise our statutory rights. If we demand compensation for damages, the amount shall be 10 % of the purchase price of the goods not accepted. The amount of calculated damages shall be raised or lowered if we can prove greater damages or the Customer can prove lesser damages.

5.6 We have the right to make partial deliveries or provide partial performance if this is deemed reasonable for the Customer.

5.7 When delivering the goods, we reserve the right to reasonable deviations in weights, quantities and dimensions attributable to production processes. A deviation of up to 10 % in weights and quantities is permitted. Same is accepted by the Customer for higher deviations of certain articles (accessories, gaskets and fittings) being supplied in larger pack sizes (VE).

5.8 Any costs for inspections and acceptance procedures shall be borne by the Customer.

6. Transfer of risk / Dispatch

6.1 Unless otherwise agreed, delivery terms are ‘ex works’ (in accordance with Incoterms 2010). Risk is transferred to the Customer when the goods leave our warehouse, even when delivery is carriage free.

6.2 Unloading the delivery is the responsibility of the Customer and must be carried out by the Customer without delay. If the goods are unloaded by the driver, or the latter assists with unloading, this is entirely at the risk and expense of the Customer.

7. Packaging

7.1 The type of packaging used is determined at our own discretion. Simple packaging such as boxes and crates will be charged to the Customer at our currently applicable packaging prices.

7.2 In the case of deliveries to foreign countries, the Customer shall arrange for disposal of non-returnable packaging at his own expense.

8. Warranty rights

8.1 The agreed quality and properties of the contractual item to be warranted by us are derived exclusively from the contractual agreements concluded with the Customer. Specimens, statements in brochures or information derived from other advertising material do not constitute guarantees of durability, properties or quality within the meaning of Section 443 BGB. Statements in the aforesaid documents are subject to change and may contain errors. Images merely bear a similarity to the goods delivered. References to engineering standards are made only for the purpose of describing the product and may not be interpreted as a guarantee of quality or properties. We reserve the right to modify designs, the choice and style of materials and profiles, and to make any other changes arising from technological advances, at any time and within reasonable limits, even without prior notice.

8.2 As far as supplied system components have been misused in fabrication (not according 2.2) or are mixed up with “grey parts”, parts from third parties, for different use or the receipt of product cannot be proofed no claim for warranty is given.

8.3 Colour deviations of powder coated and anodised aluminium profile surfaces in the same colour category are no defects justifying claims. For the evaluation of colour deviations, the proper distance must be taken into consideration. The Customer can judge colour deviations only by upper and lower colour samples.

8.4 If the term ‘guarantee’ is used by us in any documents, specifically in catalogues, brochures and data sheets, then said guarantee is an independent warranty that is unrelated to statutory warranty rights.

8.5 Immediately after receiving the goods, the Customer shall inspect them for any damage in transit, for completeness and for any defects. Damage in transit, defects, incorrect deliveries, short deliveries and deviations from the delivery note or invoice must be notified to us immediately and in writing within seven days at the most, otherwise the consignment shall be deemed approved. For the rest, Section 377 of the German Commercial Code (HBG) shall apply.

8.6 If there is already a defect in the delivery when risk passes to the Customer, we are obligated to remedy the defect or to supply a replacement, at our own discretion. This option does not exist in the case defined in Section 478 (4) BGB, according to which the Customer may demand remedy of defect or replacement delivery at his own discretion. If we are to remedy the defect, the Customer must grant us a reasonable amount of time and sufficient opportunity to do so.

8.7 Claims by the Customers in respect of expenses necessitated by remedy, in particular transport, travel, labour and material expenses, shall not be accepted if the increase in expenses is because the delivery item was subsequently brought to a place other than the Customer’s place of business, unless such delivery accords with the normal use of the delivery item.

8.8 Warranty claims become statute-barred one year after delivery. Warranty claims based on a defect in an object that has been used for building construction in accordance with the normal use of such object and which has caused the defectiveness of such a building become statute-barred four years after delivery.

8.9 For the rest, the statutory warranty rights shall apply. Claims to damages by the Customer due to a defect are governed exclusively by Section 9 of these GCSD.

9. Claims for damages

9.1 We bear liability in accordance with the statutory provisions if the Customer claims damages caused by wilful action or gross negligence on our part.

9.2 In the case of negligent breach of a material obligation, we bear liability according to the statutory provisions. Material contractual obligations are those which must be fulfilled for proper fulfilment of the contract and which the Customer may generally rely upon as being complied with. In such cases, claims to damages are limited to foreseeable, typical damage. However, typically occurring damages shall not exceed € 100,000 in any individual case.

9.3 Unless specified otherwise above, claims to damages by the Customer, regardless of their legal basis, shall be excluded.

9.4 The above limitations of liability do not apply if our liability is mandatory under the Product Liability Act, or in the case of personal injury to life, body or health, or if claims to damages are asserted against us due to the lack of a guaranteed property or quality, or in the case of malicious non-disclosure of a defect. If a guaranteed property or quality is absent, we bear liability only for such damages as are covered by the guarantee.

9.5 If our liability is excluded or limited, the same exclusion or limitation of liability shall also apply to our employees, representatives and vicarious agents if they are sued directly by the Customer.

10. Reservation of ownership

10.1 We reserve ownership of the goods until receipt of all payments accruing from the business relationship with the Customer. If the Customer commits a breach of contract, in particular if he defaults on payment, we are entitled to take back the goods after withdrawing from the contract. We have the right to inspect the reserved title goods at any time at the place they are located. If we assert our claim to surrender of the goods after withdrawing from the contract, the Customer hereby grants us irrevocable permission to take back goods in our ownership, regardless of whether they have been processed or not, and to enter the premises where the goods are located in order to do so. If we take back and levy execution on the goods, this constitutes withdrawal from the contract, regardless of whether claims to damages are asserted. After withdrawing from the contract, we are authorised to sell the goods; the proceeds of sale shall be credited, minus a reasonable amount of sale expense, against the amounts owed by the Customer.

10.2 The Customer shall handle the goods with care; in particular, he shall insure them adequately, at his own expense and for the value when new, against fire, water and theft. If maintenance and inspection work is required, the Customer must carry out such work at his own expense and in due time.

10.3 The Customer must inform us immediately and in writing of any levies of execution or other seizures by third parties so that we can lodge an action under Section 771 of the German Code of Civil Procedure (ZPO). The Customer shall enclose a copy of the bailiff‘s return in the event of any levies of execution. If the third party is unable to reimburse us the judicial and extra-judicial costs for lodging such an action under Section 777 ZPO, the Customer shall be liable for any losses that we incur in this respect.

10.4 The Customer has the right to resell the goods in the normal course of business; however, this right is forfeited if the Customer defaults on payment. The Customer hereby assigns to us all his receivables to the amount of the final invoice amount (including value added tax) which accrue to him against his customer or third parties from resale of the reserved title goods, regardless of whether the goods were processed prior to resale. However, if there are other suppliers besides ourselves who retain their co-ownership of the resold delivery item, the Customer hereby assigns his receivables from resale according to the ratio between the invoice amount of our own deliveries (including value added tax) and the total invoice value of deliveries made by the other suppliers retaining ownership. This assignment is made to secure all our present and future receivables from the business relationship with the Customer. Despite this assignment, the Customer remains authorised to collect this receivable from his own customer, in which case he is acting as our trustee. The above is without prejudice to our right to collect the receivable ourselves. However, we agree not to collect the receivable as long as the Customer meets his obligations to pay from the proceeds of sale, is not in arrears and, in particular, has not applied for bankruptcy or composition or insolvency proceedings to be opened, and has not ceased to render payment. However, if any of the latter cases arises, we may require that the Customer: notify us of the assigned receivables and the respective debtors; provide all details needed to collect the receivables; surrender the relevant documents and inform the debtors (third parties) of the assignment. 

10.5 Any processing or transformation of the goods by the Customer is always done on our behalf as manufacturer. If the goods are processed with other items that do not belong to us, we acquire co-ownership of the new object in proportion to the value of our goods (final invoice amount, including value added tax) relative to the value of the other processed items at the time of processing. The object that results from processing is governed by the same provisions and conditions as for the goods supplied with retention of title.

10.6 If the goods are inseparably mixed with other items that do not belong to us, we acquire co-ownership of the new object in proportion to the value of the goods (final invoice amount, including value added tax) relative to the other mixed items at the time of mixing. If mixing results in the object of the Customer or a third party being considered the main component, then it is deemed that the Customer transfers proportional co-ownership in the new object to us. The Customer shall keep our solely owned or co-owned property on our behalf.

10.7 The Customer also assigns to us, as security for the amounts he owes to us, the receivables that ensue from third parties by combining the goods with real property.

10.8 In the case of goods that the Customer must install as a significant element in a third-party’s building, under a contract for work and services, the Customer hereby assigns to us his right under the law of obligations to have a lien registered in the land title register to the value of the goods (final invoice amount, including value added tax) in the land title register.

10.9 At the request of the Customer, we shall release collateral accruing to us to the extent that the value that can be realised with our collateral exceeds by more than 10% the debts being secured; we may decide at our own discretion which collateral to release.

11. Treatment of aluminium surfaces

11.1 The treatment (Powder coating, Anodizing and Powder coating with pre-anodization) of aluminium profiles will be managed according to the agreed supplier agreements of VENTURA neither charged by perimeter (sqm-pricing) or weight (kg-pricing) of profiles and crimped insulated profiles.

11.2 Fixed length supply of profiles requests the lost space of clamping positions each 30 mm at the beginning and end of the bar. Usable profile length + 60 mm = order length.

11.3 Powder coating of aluminium profiles is done in Façade quality. High Weather resistant (HWF) qualities on request. To assure equal colours the description of RAL colour, RAL number, manufacturer of powder and powder code needs to be placed. In case of doubts upper and lower colour samples are needed.

11.4 INOX-Design and Colour-Anodised samples differ depending on production method and request colour samples.

11.5 Protection foils covering aluminium profiles need to be removed shortly after installation and finish of the façade works.

12. Miscellaneous

12.1 VENTURA reserves all ownership rights, patent rights, design rights and copyright in respect of images, drawings, designs, constructions, cost estimates and other documents. The Customer expressly acknowledges all intellectual property rights accruing to us.

12.2 With the exception of monetary claims, the rights of the Customer deriving from the contract are non-transferrable.

12.3 The Customer passes the right to VENTURA to communicate data obtained based on the business relationship to a credit insurance agency for the purpose of taking out credit insurance.

13. Place of performance / Place of jurisdiction

13.1 For our deliveries, the place of performance is the place defined in our confirmation of order and the Incoterm used therein (according to Incoterms 2010). In that case, the place of performance is the same as the place of delivery as defined in the respective Incoterm (according to Incoterms 2010). If no place of performance is specified in the confirmation of order, delivery is ex works (according to Incoterms 2010) and the place of performance for all other obligations arising from the supply relationship is our registered business address, unless our confirmation of order states otherwise.

13.2 Our registered business address is the sole place of jurisdiction.

14. Governing law

In addition to the terms of contract, the legal relations between domestic parties are also governed exclusively by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany. The UN Conventions on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) is excluded.

Date: September 2019