Manufacturing

Challenges in the manufacturing and consumer products industry include labor shortages, high consumer demand and changes in technology and traditional sales models. While companies integrate technology to become more efficient, they also face pressure to recruit and retain skilled workers. As the manufacturing industry evolves, companies may encounter some of the following issues:

• Manufacturers are investing in advanced technologies to help mitigate risk, increase supply chain visibility and better handle supply chain issues. They are expected to spend more on developing smart factories that feature cloud connections, edge computing and 5G.
• Manufacturing companies have begun to adopt predictive resolution to enhance predictive maintenance by anticipating problems and fixing them early, which will increase efficiency and decrease costs.
• Companies are facing conflicting dynamics – a shrinking labor force and a higher demand for products. Output has kept pace so far, and as technology expands, factories can become more efficient, producing more with fewer people. Nevertheless, skilled workers will be necessary, and unfilled positions will cause financial losses. Employee recruiting and retention will be critical.
• Middlemen are being squeezed out of transactions in favor of direct-to-consumer models. Manufacturers are developing closer relationships with end users and can control their pricing and brands more tightly when they steer around traditional wholesalers or distributors. Even when manufacturers are the consumers, they are working with some suppliers directly, again creating closer relationships in the supply chain.

Is your company positioned to succeed?

Manufacturers have a diverse set of legal needs, from site selection to addressing labor and employment concerns. Holland & Knight has a broad spectrum of manufacturing and consumer products attorneys who practice in a variety of fields. Our manufacturing lawyers have extensive experience in commercial, labor and employment, real estate, environmental and regulatory, tax and intellectual property law, as well as in government relations, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and restructuring.

Diverse clients rely on our experienced counsel, including those in automotive and aerospace, building materials, chemical, computers and consumer electronics, food and beverage, firearms, oil and gas, power generation equipment, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, pulp and paper, and other consumer products.

Our attorneys work with clients on a variety of issues, including those involving:

• product distribution
• supply chain management
• international trade
• terms and conditions for sales and purchases of wholesale and retail goods
• regulatory compliance
• product warranty and liability
• trademarks and trade secrets
• tax and foreign sales corporations
• M&A and other corporate transactions
• public and private financing, including debt, equity and hybrid instruments
• corporate governance
• formation of strategic alliances
• incentive programs and economic development

A number of our manufacturing clients began their relationship with our attorneys when they relocated their manufacturing facilities or company headquarters, and we proudly continue to serve the long-term operational needs of many of these clients.