Overview
Burr & Forman's manufacturing experience dates back to the early 1900's when founding partner, Walker Percy, represented Tennessee Coal and Iron (now U.S. Steel Corporation) in an antitrust case. Over the years our manufacturing industry experience has evolved to include economic development and state and local tax incentives, site selection, plant operations, and infrastructure, employment, union avoidance, production equipment contracts, commercial contracts, mergers and acquisitions, financing, supply chain and logistics, and litigation and dispute resolution.
Our unique manufacturing capabilities have played a critical role in attracting major economic development projects to locate and expand in the South, resulting in over $26 billion in capital investment and the creation of more than 34,000 jobs. Our practitioners have created a cross-disciplinary, client-focused industry team to support our many manufacturing clients.
Our attorneys have worked as part of the site selection teams for projects such as:
- Mercedes-Benz U.S. International manufacturing plant (Tuscaloosa, Alabama)
- KIA Motors manufacturing plant (West Point, Georgia)
- SSAB (f/k/a IPSCO Steel) steel mill (Mobile County, Alabama)
- ThyssenKrupp Steel mill (Mobile County, Alabama)
- Kronospan manufacturing plant (Oxford, Alabama)
- Jack Daniels Cooperage project (Lawrence County, Alabama)
Incentive Negotiation
Burr's Manufacturing Industry Group is known for its extensive hands-on experience negotiating incentives packages for our clients. We have served as company counsel on a large number of the significant incentives packages negotiated in the Southeast. In addition to the projects listed above, we've represented existing clients in incentives negotiations for major plant expansions.
A particular strength of the group is our knowledge of the various types of incentives finance, including tax credit and bond financing, conservation easements, state and federal home loans, industrial revenue bonds, public and private ventures and letters of credit, and other securitizations involved in closing these specialized transactions.
Incentive Implementation
Beyond the incentive negotiation process we continue representation of our manufacturing clients through the critical incentive implementation process. Our practitioners are skilled at ensuring that state and local governments and utility providers deliver the promised incentives in a timely manner and to the satisfaction of our clients.
Choice of Entity and Tax Structure
Our business and tax attorneys provide guidance to the start-up company for issues relating to choice of business entity, corporate governance, and tax structures.
Construction
Our construction group represents owners from start-to-finish with all aspects of their construction needs in economic development projects. This involves negotiating project manager/general contractor agreements, overseeing the bidding process, negotiation of contractor packages, resolving claims, change orders, and pay request disputes. We have developed and implemented extensive claims management processes for large economic development projects.
Real Estate
Our real estate attorneys have extensive experience working through title, survey, and other due diligence issues that impact the automotive industry. These matters include leases and licenses with on and off-site automotive suppliers and warehouses, lease-purchase agreements with governmental entities, and railroad easement negotiations.
Environmental Permitting
We advise our manufacturing clients on permit requirements and related regulatory compliance. This involves:
- Identifying environmental regulatory issues
- Identifying the sequence of permits
- Negotiating permit content and timing with regulatory officials
- Advising on compliance with related regulatory obligations
When necessary we represent clients in third-party environmental permit challenges. We also frequently work with our manufacturing clients to identify consultants and coordinate and review completed work to assure it meets local environmental requirements and time limits.
Contract Negotiations
We have extensive experience negotiating infrastructure contracts with the providers of electricity, natural gas, water and sewer, and telecommunications services. In addition, we have provided contractual support to our clients being incentivized under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
Government Relations
While we do not represent any state and local governments or public utilities, we have established a solid working relationship with them over the years. We often act as a conduit between our clients and state and local governments and public utilities.
