Manufacturing/Distribution Articles

Reducing waste in manufacturing improves efficiency, lowers costs, and strengthens profitability. Strategies like preventive maintenance, inventory management, and recycling help eliminate inefficiencies while boosting productivity and product quality. A commitment to continuous improvement ensures long-term operational excellence and competitiveness.

Succession planning is critical for manufacturing business owners who want to protect their company’s future. By defining goals, choosing the right ownership transfer strategy, and preparing successors through training and mentorship, you can ensure a smooth leadership transition and preserve your legacy. Starting early gives your successors time to learn, build relationships, and maintain operational stability long after you step away.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act introduces a 100% first-year depreciation deduction for nonresidential real estate classified as Qualified Production Property (QPP), offering significant tax savings for manufacturers. To qualify, properties must meet strict usage and timing requirements, and businesses should be aware of limitations such as nonqualified areas, leased buildings, and potential recapture rules. Careful planning and IRS guidance will be essential to maximize this benefit.

OBBB has made the Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) program permanent and introduced enhanced tax incentives for manufacturers building in rural QOZs, including the creation of Qualified Rural Opportunity Funds (QROFs) that offer a 30% basis step-up after five years. These changes make rural QOZs especially attractive for manufacturers seeking funding and long-term tax savings, with additional advantages such as a lower improvement threshold and extended capital gains exclusions.

Accrual-basis businesses can reduce their 2025 tax liability by recognizing expenses incurred this year, even if payment occurs in 2026 including wages, taxes, and utilities. Reviewing prepaid expenses, writing off uncollectible receivables, and properly timing income and deductions are key strategies for year-end tax planning.

Ransomware attacks pose a significant threat to manufacturers, disrupting operations and jeopardizing supply chains. Implementing proactive measures such as robust backups, network segmentation, employee training, and incident response planning can dramatically reduce risk. Strengthening cybersecurity across IT and OT environments helps safeguard business continuity and protect critical assets.

Digital twins, virtual replicas of physical systems, are revolutionizing manufacturing by enabling real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and smarter decision-making. Originally developed by NASA, this technology is helping manufacturers optimize operations, reduce costs, and accelerate innovation. While implementation can be complex, the potential benefits make it a compelling investment for forward-thinking companies.

Manufacturing companies expanding across borders must understand transfer pricing to value intercompany transactions and comply with tax regulations. Proper documentation and adherence to IRS and OECD guidelines are crucial to avoid penalties and ensure accurate tax reporting. Proactive management of transfer pricing can also optimize global tax positions within legal boundaries.

The OBBBA includes significant tax provisions that impact the U.S. manufacturing industry, such as resetting bonus depreciation to 100%, increasing Section 179 expensing limits, and making the QBI deduction permanent. Manufacturers should stay informed about these changes as the bill progresses through the legislative process. Please note that the tax law discussed in this article is currently proposed and has not yet been enacted.

Owners of small manufacturing businesses structured as S corporations must ensure they receive reasonable compensation for their work to comply with IRS rules. While distributions can offer tax advantages, they must follow fair salary payments based on the owner’s role, responsibilities, and industry standards. The IRS evaluates compensation by analyzing how business income is generated and expects thorough documentation to support salary decisions, especially when owners perform multiple roles within the company.