Manufacturing & Distribution Articles

The third-year survey gives manufacturers and financial leaders insight into the business climate so they have a better idea of what’s to come.

Owners of manufacturing and distribution companies are often so focused on the here-and-now that planning for future catastrophes may fall through the cracks. But operating without a valid buy-sell agreement can cause financial distress and even tear a company apart if tragedy strikes.

Fraud can have a major impact on a company’s value. In their 2016 Report to the Nations on Occupational Fraud and Abuse, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) estimates that companies lose approximately 5 percent of revenues to internal theft and financial misstatement each year.

It’s a smaller business world after all. With the ease and popularity of e-commerce, as well as the incredible efficiency of many supply chains, companies of all sorts are finding it easier than ever to widen their markets. Expanding one’s business has become so feasible that many businesses quickly find themselves crossing state lines.

With Republicans in control of Congress and President Trump’s broad outline to overhaul the tax code, businesses await legislation that could have significant impact on their tax burden.

Governor Haslam signed the Improving Manufacturing, Public Roads and Opportunities for a Vibrant Economy Act (the IMPROVE Act) on April 26. Originally proposed in late January of this year, the Act includes a new transportation plan as well as tax cuts (also referred to as tax inequities).

“Customization” can be a dirty word when it comes to software implementations. Ten years ago, a customization could mean hours of consulting and coordination among the business owners, the functional consultant and a software developer — just to define the requirements and to plan how the customization would be developed.

The value of your manufacturing company depends on a variety of factors, such as what products it manufactures, how it’s expected to perform, where it’s located and why you’re appraising it. Let’s take a closer look at the current merger and acquisition (M&A) market and how appraisers use three techniques to value manufacturers.

Manufacturing has been returning to the U.S. in a big way over the past five years. In a recent Wall Street Journal article, it is noted that not only are companies considering it patriotic to stamp “Made in the USA” on their products, but they can also make more money doing so.