Manufacturers need to prepare for the challenges ahead

Foley & Lardner LLP today released its first manufacturing white paper examining business and legal trends that will influence business decisions in the manufacturing industry.

As the global economy faces the third year of the pandemic, manufacturers are no longer focused on determining when things will return to “normal.” Instead, they’re applying lessons learned from the past few years to become even more agile and resilient as they evolve their operations to succeed in this “new normal.”

Severe supply chain disruptions continue to be at the forefront of adaptation discussions, with some companies taking a closer-to-home approach through the “offshoring” of production and resources. The impact of the war in Ukraine and unprecedented levels of inflation also pose a new set of obstacles. At the same time, manufacturers are also feeling the pressure of a tight labor market, looming SEC demands for greater public disclosure and tougher antitrust enforcement following the Executive Order “Promoting Competition in the ‘American economy’.

All of these factors bring their own unique legal and business considerations, but despite the many challenges, there is also potential for great rewards through cloud adoption, artificial intelligence, and all things “Industry 4.0.” “.

The Foley Manufacturing White Paper explores these transformational changes in detailed sections, including:

• Environmental impact of companies: the SEC offers detailed information on the climate
• Respect for human rights in the supply chain
• Hot Topics in Consumer Product False Advertising Class Actions: An Increased Focus on Ethics, Sustainability and Safety Claims
• Flexible Strategies for Managing Uncertainty in Manufacturing Supply Chains
• Industry 4.0 heralds a sea change in intellectual property protection for manufacturers
• Manufacturing employers face significant workforce challenges in 2022
• CPSC Continues Enforcement Efforts in Q1 2022
• Mexico Nearshoring Trends in the Manufacturing Landscape
• Strategic IP for the protection of product manufacturers
• Tighter U.S. government oversight of supply chains raises compliance expectations for U.S. companies that source or operate overseas
• 2022 Antitrust Outlook for Manufacturers – Significant Changes Under the Biden Administration
• The Latest Patent Developments in China: What Manufacturers Need to Know
• Trends in Subscription Model Regulation and Takeaways

Foley’s manufacturing lawyers serve as trusted advisors to manufacturing companies as they grow and innovate. The multidisciplinary team includes more than 100 lawyers with deep experience in the manufacturing industry who help clients meet challenges at every stage of business evolution. The team advises on a wide range of legal and commercial matters, as well as matters such as divestitures, acquisitions, cross-border partnerships, procurement, supply chain resilience, environmental, social and governance (ESG), sustainability, responsible product management, distribution. strategy, litigation, workforce recruitment and retention, intellectual property, trademarks, data protection, warranty and regulatory compliance.

To read the full whitepaper, click here.

About Foley & Lardner LLP

Foley & Lardner LLP is a leading law firm that sits at the crossroads of energy, healthcare and life sciences, innovative technologies and manufacturing. We look beyond the law to focus on the ever-changing demands facing our clients and act as trusted business advisors to provide creative, practical and effective solutions. Our 1,100 lawyers in 25 offices around the world partner on the full range of engagements, from corporate counsel to intellectual property work and litigation assistance, providing our clients with a one-team solution for all their needs. For nearly two centuries, Foley has maintained its commitment to the highest level of innovative legal services and to the stewardship of our employees, our firm, our clients and the communities we serve.