Manufacturing and Distribution
We represent Canadian domestic and foreign manufacturers, distributors, shippers, retailers and consumers on all legal aspects of the manufacture, use, distribution and sale of goods in Canada. Businesses involved in the product manufacturing and distribution sectors must deal with complex legal and regulatory requirements designed, among other things, to ensure fair competition and to protect public and consumer safety. Our team is made up of lawyers from our business, intellectual property, employment, real estate and litigation groups, who provide experienced advice and representation to assist businesses at every stage of the product lifecycle – from design and compliance with product standards, through marketing, distribution, after-sales service and product liability.
Our clients deal in a diverse range of products and services, including:
- automotive vehicles and vehicle parts and accessories
- food and beverage products
- pharmaceuticals
- medical devices
- consumer goods
- electrical and electronic goods
- chemicals
- process equipment and industrial machinery
- machine tools, metal fabrication and plastics
- construction materials
- transportation and logistics services
- retail operations
To meet the diverse needs of clients in this sector, we regularly advise and assist with:
- Product Marketing
- identifying and resolving marketing, advertising and promotional issues reviewing product packaging and labelling
- the application of and compliance with the Québec Charter of the French language
- Regulatory Compliance
- the application of and compliance with consumer protection laws advice relating to regulated consumer products
- advice on the transportation of dangerous goods
- Contracts
- preparing and negotiating the many types of commercial contracts that companies in this sector encounter on a regular basis, including manufacturing and supply agreements, distribution, agency and dealership agreements, sales terms and conditions, purchase terms and conditions, equipment purchase agreements, licence agreements, non-competition agreements international contracting issues
- Corporate / Mergers and Acquisitions
- establishing subsidiaries, business organization and structure corporate finance, lending and commercial credit arrangements
- acquiring and disposing of manufacturing, distribution and other types of businesses business reorganization
- Intellectual Property
- protecting intellectual property, proprietary information and trade secrets licensing intellectual property
- Labor and Employment
- hiring and termination of employees employee handbook and personnel policies
- labour relations human rights, harassment claims and employment disputes
- Litigation and Dispute Resolution
- representing clients in commercial and contract disputes and challenges relating to product defects or failures, including regulatory non-compliance, product liability and class actions
- Real Estate
- purchasing or leasing industrial, warehouse and office facilities
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