MANUFACTURING PRACTICE

Manufacturing has long been a core part of U.S./Mexico border region’s economy and heritage. Over the past decades, the region has increasingly attracted manufacturers wishing to capitalize on the USMCA free trade agreement by developing twin-plant maquiladora facilities or shelter operations.  For over 20 years, manufacturers, both large and small, local and multi-national, have relied on Jose Luis Carbonell to help them navigate the complexities of investing and doing business in our rapidly growing and ever-changing cross-border marketplace.

Even though the Firm is located in San Antonio, Texas, the Firm represents many companies located in El Paso, Texas and other border towns between the U.S. and Mexico. As such, the Firm’s capabilities in the U.S./Mexico trade corridor are strengthened by the Firms strategic relationships through the U.S/Mexico border.

The Firm’s in-depth knowledge of the manufacturing sector and our experience in working with manufacturers across diverse industries, including the Firm's ability to offer Mexico-licensed lawyer, enables the Firm to provide expert legal services to manufacturers established or seeking to establish manufacturing operations in the U.S./Mexico border region.  Working with the Firm's Mexico Law team and collaboratively with local Mexico counsel, the Firm helps manufacturers build, strengthen and protect their businesses. From business formation, plant construction, equipment leasing, and distribution agreements, to customs, labor and employment, and multi-jurisdictional tax matters, we offer clients the efficiency and effectiveness of one-source service.

Jose Luis Carbonell has developed particular expertise related to manufacturing in Mexico, including maquiladoras (IMMEX), contract manufacturing and shelter operations, allowing him to develop a team with specialized knowledge in such areas.  As such, the services the Firm provides to manufacturers include, but are not limited to, assistance with:

· Corporate & Securities, including business formation both domestically and internationally

· Licensing and permitting

· Assistance with drafting, revising and/or negotiating of contracts with both suppliers and customers

· Regulatory matters, including zoning regulations and environmental compliance

· Facility location and expansion, including pursuit of economic development incentives

· Real Estate transactions (purchase, sale and lease)

· Construction contracts related to building or expansion of facilities

· Lending and finance, including bank loans, asset-based financing and factoring agreements

· Leasing, including complex equipment leasing and financing transactions

· Corporate development, including mergers and acquisitions and joint venture and distribution agreements

· Labor & Employment

· Tax and administrative matters in both the U.S. and Mexico, including multi-jurisdictional issues

· Mexico customs (import and export), e.g., obtaining IMMEX (maquiladora) permits, and in general advising clients on customs laws

· Assisting U.S., Mexican and multinational companies with establishing manufacturing operations and programs in Mexico

· Advising clients on matters related to shelter manufacturing agreements and operations, international contract manufacturing agreements and operations, and maquila contracts

· Advising clients in customs and international trade law