D&H Distributing and some of its Japan-based vendors are teaming up to contribute to the relief effort following the horrific earthquake and tsunami that rocked that nation last week.

The distributor has announced that it will donate one per cent of its sales of a number of Japan-based vendors today and tomorrow (March 17 and 18, 2011) to the Red Cross’ relief efforts in Japan.

Vendors in on the offer include Brother, Buffalo, Canon, Casio, Fuji, JVC, Olympus and Sony.

In a press release announcing the measure, D&H notes its “close, often decades-long relationship” with a number of vendors with headquarters in Japan as the reason for the contribution.

“We are dedicated to seeing the success of Japan as it rebuilds its homes and facilities.  Their contribution to the high-tech industries has been immeasurable,” said Dan Schwab, co-president at D&H Distributing.

The distributor estimates, based on average sales, that the donation will amount to “tens of thousands of dollars,” and by reaching out to channel press with details of the effort, it’s clearly hoping not only for good karma or positive press, but also for a bump in sales for included vendors.

In the high-volume, low-margin world of distribution, one per cent of total sales can often be a significant portion of the profitability on any given product.