Contract & Supply Chain Counseling

Our lawyers have decades of experience negotiating and counseling on thousands of supply chain contracts. We understand the complex challenges and risks faced by automotive suppliers and other manufacturers. Because of this special expertise, our lawyers have been invited to present at dozens of events for the Original Equipment Suppliers Association, Precision Metalforming Association, Industrial Fasteners Institute, Precision Machined Parts Association, and other industry trade groups, covering issues such as supply contracts, purchase orders, terms and conditions, warranty, warranty sharing and recall management, financially distressed suppliers and customers, raw material cost management, tooling and molding statutes, contract duration and termination issues, sales representative commission issues, commercial impracticability, force majeure, volume fluctuations, quantity, and requirements contracts.

Our in-depth knowledge equips our specialized team to provide practical, detailed advice to clients ranging from the world’s largest and most sophisticated manufacturers to independent tool makers and molders.

Risk Analysis and Mitigation · Negotiation of Contracts and Agreements

Our attorneys offer solutions for identifying, allocating and mitigating the risks associated with supplying complex components, assemblies and systems. We deliver informed, practical guidance in matters such as:

• Supply chain contracts and long-term agreements
• Terms and conditions of purchase and sale
• Pricing and material economics contracting, planning and training
• Warranty and warranty share agreements
• Tooling and molder’s liens and asset protection
• Supply chain risk/allocation “gap” analysis
• Intellectual property and trade secret agreements relating to manufacturing assets and know-how

Regulatory Compliance for Automotive Suppliers

Our team also assists national and international automotive manufacturing clients in understanding and complying with federal safety regulations and other rules and restrictions impacting their products, including:

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rules, compliance and reporting
• Analysis and management of voluntary and mandatory recalls
• TREAD Act and Early Warning Reporting planning and compliance
• Training, planning and counseling for automotive manufacturers new to the United States market

Brooks Wilkins Sharkey & Turco stands apart from other law firms for its special emphasis on matters of automotive safety, product liability and automotive insolvency counseling. We emphasize responsiveness, measured but decisive action and cost-effective support for the success and sustainability of the manufacturing companies we serve.