Welcome to Forbes’ quarterly Manufacturing & Engineering Sector eNews. 

Whilst the immediate impacts of Covid seem to be relinquishing and businesses learning how to manage with driver and supply shortages, there appears to be no rest for the sector with geopolitical challenges most recently causing soaring costs.  The volatility of the market is greater than ever and at the end of the last quarter, following a series of discussions with clients across the sector, I wrote that we were hoping to see light at the end of the ‘challenges’ tunnel.

Whilst rising costs to businesses pale into comparison with the troubles with are being experienced elsewhere, this makes it no less a challenge to have to deal with.  In the past month we’ve advised clients on a range of issues indirectly attributable to the rise in fuel prices, shortage in supplies and the war in Ukraine.  Some examples include:

Suppliers looking to take advantage of the war to excuse non or delayed performance and invoke force majeure in an illegitimate manner; and

Price hikes due to ‘events beyond their control’ notwithstanding contractual mechanisms for the variation of prices being set out.

Some of this merely reiterates not only the importance of getting the contract right in the first instance but referring back to it where something just seems not right or reassurance is sought.  Our Business Immigration team are offering free-of-charge consultations to help both individuals and organisations apply for the UK’s Ukraine visa schemes. The aim of the support service is to help individuals struggling to make applications for the Ukraine Family Scheme and Sponsor Scheme visas. Detailed guidance sheets and templates for written correspondence will be available, where applicable, upon request. Please contact immigration@forbessolicitors.co.uk for further details.

Away from the war, our Manufacturing & Engineering sector specialists have provided some insight into key issues in their respective areas below.

If you require any support and guidance at this time, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

All the best,

John Pickervance
Partner, Head of Commercial
T: 07976 257777
E: John.pickervance@forbessolicitors.co.uk

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