Manufacturing & Distribution

OPERATING COST REDUCTION STRATEGIES TO CONSIDER DURING CRISIS MANAGEMENT AND RECOVERY

By Ross Forman In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, operational challenges are among the top sources of pressure for businesses. Unforeseen costs, disruptions in services and, for most organizations, significant material hits to revenue are top of mind as you navigate new issues related to maintaining facilities and business functions. For these reasons, identifying and Read More…

CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT: MANUFACTURING IMPACTS

On Friday, March 27, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (also known as the CARES Act), a $2 trillion stimulus package intended to help mitigate the economic devastation caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The stimulus is good news for manufacturers, many of whom are struggling given the current economic Read More…

HOW MANUFACTURERS CAN NAVIGATE THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS’ SUPPLY CHAIN IMPACTS

By Jeff Pratt, Sean Murphy The novel coronavirus (otherwise known as COVID-19) crisis has struck a serious blow to the manufacturing industry, which was already battling trade policy turbulence, a slowdown in global manufacturing growth and broader economic uncertainty. The virus’ disruptive impacts are rippling throughout global manufacturing supply chains, particularly in the auto sector. Automakers rely Read More…

SMALL BUSINESSES: ACT NOW TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SBA LOANS AND PAYROLL TAX INCENTIVES

Background In light of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic, many small-to-medium sized businesses are struggling to manage revenue losses amid prolonged economic uncertainty. To offset the pandemic’s financial impacts, Congress has passed several stimulus bills, including the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which includes provisions Read More…

SBA DISASTER ASSISTANCE IN RESPONSE TO THE CORONAVIRUS – LOW-INTEREST LOANS

In response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic affecting the small business community across the country, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury. Substantial economic injury means the business is unable to meet its obligations and to pay its ordinary Read More…

BREAKING DOWN SECTION 4001 OF THE CARES ACT

On March 27, Congress passed the $2 trillion “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” (CARES Act) in order to provide “emergency assistance and health care response for individuals, families and businesses affected by the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.” The largest rescue package in American history, this historic piece of legislation includes a number of programs designed to offset the Read More…

EMPLOYERS CAN IMMEDIATELY PROVIDE TAX-FREE QUALIFIED DISASTER PAYMENTS TO EMPLOYEES IN CONNECTION WITH COVID-19

Employers are scrambling to find ways to help their employees who are impacted by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Help is available.  Now that the COVID-19 has been declared a national emergency,[1] Internal Revenue Code Section 139 can be used to allow employers to make tax-free payments or reimbursements to employees as “qualified disaster payments.” Below are Read More…

FEDERAL AID PACKAGE HELPS INDIVIDUALS AFFECTED BY COVID-19

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201),  became law on March 18, 2020. The Act guarantees free testing for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), establishes emergency paid sick leave, expands family and medical leave, enhances unemployment insurance, expands food security initiatives, and increases federal Medicaid funding. The Act includes up to 80 hours of emergency Read More…

IS IT TIME TO RECONSIDER THE DECISION TO BUY OR LEASE EQUIPMENT?

Given the historically low interest rate environment in which we find ourselves, most business owners in capital intensive industries will be impelled to explore their options when it comes to obtaining new equipment. Whether it’s best to use lease financing or purchase equipment outright depends on multiple factors including (but not limited to) the type Read More…