Companies in the Industrials sector are presented with both challenges and opportunities in a quickly evolving environment. Working towards a circular economy and a net zero future with opportunities for continuous improvement, reliable operations, and responsible and transformative advancement along the entire value chain. Many of the world’s leading automotive, aerospace and chemicals companies embrace the challenge through innovating at a fast pace, looking for authentic value creation.
We stand by our clients with bespoke advisory, depending on where they are in their sustainability journey. We help them navigate this difficult territory as climate change risks are interrelated with other business risks, such as business interruption, supply chain risks, regulatory changes, natural catastrophes and reputational risks.
Our Industrials team has been able to guide many of the pioneering projects in this sector, and we have developed particular expertise in supporting our clients with business transformation, policy and advocacy, and new types of partnerships for the purpose of innovation. Where appropriate, we have formalized working groups, such as our recently launched e-mobility group. Our team is always keen to learn more and would welcome the opportunity to hear more about your sustainability agenda and journey, too.
“We do more M&A deals globally in industrial automation, products, and services than any other firm.”
This includes advising on joint ventures and new types of partnerships for the purpose of innovation. Our lawyers also help you comply with regulations and manage your litigation risks, with creative strategies to limit, resolve and mitigate claims and regulatory concerns. And we defend you if you face sanctions, class actions or investigations.
We act for OEMs, parts manufacturers, and producers of petrochemicals and specialty chemicals products, among others. Clients like Airbus and BASF call on us to guide them on their pioneering projects. Examples include new mobility and hydrogen, and smart and dark factories. From experience, we know how to overcome the legal and the technical issues that come up in these kinds of scenarios. We get you the right results for your business strategy.
Businesses in the industrials sector face diverse and complex sustainability and ESG challenges, depending on where they are in their sustainability journey. While the sector has been quick to adapt to technological changes, it is now being tested by more sweeping changes in the transition to sustainability – affecting the business model, strategy and operations.
The focus of the manufacturing, automotive and chemicals industries has been on environmental issues, such as energy and waste management, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving efficiency of design and resource use throughout the product life cycle. Companies in aerospace and defense have been predominantly grappling with social and governance issues, such as demonstrating their commitment to human rights, anti-corruption, business integrity and transparency.
The following key sustainability themes cut across the industrials sector:
Towards a circular economy: Businesses in industrials have been reassessing materials sourcing, energy use and waste management in line with circular economy principles. Some companies have gained revenues, market leverage and consumer support from making improvements to product design and life-cycle management which increase sustainable sourcing and material reuse while striving for a zero-waste supply chain. The automotive industry, for example, has responded to consumer demand for open business models and closed-loop value chains, with some car companies upcycling used materials to reduce total emissions.
Towards a low-carbon economy: The industrials sector also has a leading role to play in driving the transition to a net-zero future. The overall environmental impact and carbon footprint of the sector remains significant, considering the high consumption of energy and resources and hazardous waste management involved in business operations. Some reductions in greenhouse gas emissions have been achieved through operational efficiencies, including energy efficiency, waste reduction and the increasing use of renewable energy sources. While some companies have remodeled their business strategy and brand on environmental sustainability principles, it can be more challenging for others depending on their products, operations and hurdles that may limit immediate transition. Companies not focused on identifying transition opportunities risk regulatory action, consumer backlash, investor withdrawals and/or litigation – as potential for loss of value as well.
Improving product quality and safety: For companies in the chemicals business, a customer-centric approach has been essential for focusing on public trust following concerns with product quality and safety, marketing practices and concerns of potential anti-competitive behavior. The manufacturing and automotive industries have also had to address rising consumer expectations on demonstrating product quality and safety, in addition to meeting regulatory compliance standards.
Improving employees’ health and safety: There are growing demands from employees for industrials companies to assure occupational health and safety, given the nature of the work and risk of critical safety incidents if safety processes and procedures are not thorough and followed. The most successful companies have proactively put in place internal procedures to ensure workplace health and safety beyond what is required by law, thereby minimizing potential for injury claims and reputational risks.
Developing internal procedures to prevent crises: Companies in the defense industry are particularly exposed to human rights abuse allegations and other ethical issues. However, such controversies have decreased in recent years as several companies have established internal systems to prevent complicity in human rights violations, especially in relation to arms proliferation in conflict areas. The most successful of these include human rights due diligence processes which go beyond the minimum required by government licensing regimes.
Improving transparency and reporting: Across the industrials sector, there is a shift towards mandatory sustainability and climate-related reporting and disclosure obligations, such as on carbon emissions and energy use. More broadly, transparency is an important issue for the aerospace and defense sector, considering the sensitive nature of the business and vulnerability to corruption risks. In this subsector, a small but growing proportion of companies have taken a proactive approach to increasing transparency and integrity measures and preventing corruption.
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