Insights CategoryManufacturing

A person points at a digital display showing icons representing workflow steps: process, search, idea, team, analytics, and collaboration, connected by a wavy line.

The Invisible Anchor: Is Your Business Outgrowing the Systems That Built It?

There is a specific, frustrating paradox that hits successful businesses right as they enter their next phase of growth. On paper, revenue is up, sales

  • Ag Manufacturing, Animal Protein, Architects & Engineers, Beverage Distribution, Biofuels, Broadband Solutions, Commodity Crops, Construction, Equipment Dealers, Financial Institutions, Food And Beverage, Healthcare, HR Services, Integrated Office Solutions, IT Consulting, Manufacturing, Not-for-Profits, Payroll, Time & Attendance Solutions, Permanent & Specialty Crops
Digital illustration of padlocks connected by glowing blue lines on a circuit board, representing cybersecurity and secure network connections.

How High Is Your Cyber Risk?: Take Our Quiz

Cybersecurity is often viewed as an IT responsibility—but that perspective has been proven outdated. Today’s cyber risks extend far beyond technology systems, impacting operations, supply

  • Ag Manufacturing, Biofuels, Construction, Financial Institutions, Food & Agriculture, IT Consulting, Manufacturing
A man wearing an orange safety vest sits at a desk monitoring industrial control systems displayed on multiple computer screens in a control room.

Crucial Warning Signs Manufacturers Miss During Slowdowns

Can you afford to take a hit to revenue right now? During downturns most manufacturers ask us where they can find opportunities to optimize or

  • Accounting, Ag Manufacturing, Biofuels, Equipment Dealers, Food And Beverage, Manufacturing, Strategic Advisory
A black sign with "Succession Planning" in white letters stands beside four wooden human-shaped figures, symbolizing Leadership Transitions, against a light blue background.

Why Some Leadership Transitions Succeed and Others Stall

Leadership transitions are inevitable in manufacturing — whether driven by planned retirement, a role change, or an unexpected event. What distinguishes a smooth transition from

  • Ag Manufacturing, Biofuels, Equipment Dealers, Food And Beverage, Manufacturing, Next Gen Strategy
The image shows the front entrance of a large neoclassical building with tall stone columns, arched doorways, and wide steps leading up to the doors.

IRS Releases Standard Mileage Rates for 2026

The IRS issued an increase in the standard mileage rates for business travel, effective January 1, 2026. While the IRS states that standard mileage rates

  • Accounting, Ag Manufacturing, Animal Protein, Architects & Engineers, Beverage Distribution, Biofuels, Broadband Solutions, Commodity Crops, Construction, Equipment Dealers, Financial Institutions, Food & Agriculture, Food And Beverage, Government & Public Affairs, Healthcare, HR Services, Land Advisory, Manufacturing, Not-for-Profits, Permanent & Specialty Crops, Tax Compliance & Strategy
A calculator, US $100 bills, a pen, a notebook, and a piece of paper labeled "TAX CREDIT" highlight the importance of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit: Why Employers Should Keep Filing on your desk.

Work Opportunity Tax Credit in Limbo

As manufacturers and other industrial employers — including biofuels and food and beverage processors — continue to navigate workforce shortages, rising labor costs, and margin

  • Biofuels, Food And Beverage, Manufacturing, Tax Compliance & Strategy
Eight people sit around a table in a modern meeting room with large windows overlooking water, discussing the advantages of peer groups for business leaders.

Advantages of Peer Groups for Business Leaders

With the ease of connectivity and virtual meetings a mainstay today, many business leaders are syncing up with peers who better relate to their business

  • Manufacturing, Peer Group Programs
A U.S. one dollar bill with part of an American flag draped in the foreground.

Senate Unveils Tax Bill Ahead of July 4 Deadline

In a pivotal step toward advancing their sweeping economic agenda, Senate Republicans on Monday unveiled their version of a multitrillion-dollar tax and spending package, aiming

  • Architects & Engineers, Biofuels, Commodity Crops, Construction, Equipment Dealers, Financial Institutions, Food & Agriculture, Food And Beverage, Government & Public Affairs, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Newsroom, Permanent & Specialty Crops, Tax Compliance & Strategy
A group of six people is smiling and looking at a laptop in a modern office, where papers and notebooks are scattered on the table—perhaps exploring 6 strategies to cultivate a positive work environment.

6 Strategies to Cultivate a Positive Work Environment

Successful companies recognize the immense value of cultivating a positive workplace environment. From enhanced performance and customer service to increased productivity and reduced turnover, the

  • Biofuels, HR Services, Manufacturing
Aerial view of a busy shipping port at sunset with numerous colorful shipping containers and large cranes along a dock near the water.

Best Practices for Manufacturers in Times of Uncertainty

Anyone operating a business in today’s environment is facing a horizon with a lot of uncertainty – economically and geopolitically. Manufacturing in particular has been

  • Accounting, Biofuels, Food And Beverage, Manufacturing
One person hands a stack of U.S. dollar bills to another across a table with documents, a pen, and a calculator.

How to Demonstrate Repayment Capacity to Your Lender

Today’s business uncertainty, coupled with a tightening credit environment, is making it more critical than ever for businesses to approach loan renewals more strategically —

  • Biofuels, Equipment Dealers, Food And Beverage, Manufacturing
A long, polished wooden conference table with empty chairs is arranged in a meeting room, ready to strengthen your board of directors with strategic meetings against the backdrop of a blank screen.

Is Your Board of Directors Hurting Your Business?

When your critical business decisions and strategies hinge upon governance from a board of directors, it becomes paramount to ensure your board is positioned to

  • Biofuels, Food And Beverage, Manufacturing, Strategic Advisory
Businessperson using a digital tablet overlaid with holographic gears and charts, symbolizing technology and data analytics, with a cityscape in the background.

How to Use KPIs to Grow Your Business

Today, there is a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for virtually everything– from revenue and yield to scrap rate and cycle time. KPIs are powerful tools

  • Beverage Distribution, Biofuels, Equipment Dealers, Food And Beverage, Manufacturing
Workers in a field bending over to harvest crops, with some wearing hats and protective clothing. A structure is visible in the background.

How to Prepare Your Business for Potential Immigration Enforcement

As the new year moves into full swing and we transition to a new administration, employers should prepare for increased immigration enforcement and significant changes

  • Commodity Crops, Construction, Food And Beverage, Government & Public Affairs, HR Services, Manufacturing, Peer Group Programs, Permanent & Specialty Crops
A large, beige stone building with multiple windows, identified by a nearby brown sign as the Internal Revenue Service Building.

IRS Releases Standard Mileage Rates for 2025

The IRS issued an increase in the standard mileage rates for business travel, effective January 1, 2025. While the IRS states that standard mileage rates

  • Accounting, Animal Protein, Architects & Engineers, Beverage Distribution, Biofuels, Broadband Solutions, Commodity Crops, Construction, Equipment Dealers, Financial Institutions, Food & Agriculture, Food And Beverage, Government & Public Affairs, Healthcare, HR Services, IT Consulting, Land Advisory, Manufacturing, Not-for-Profits, Permanent & Specialty Crops, Tax Compliance & Strategy
Person using a laptop with a graph overlay, indicating rising trends from 2023 to 2027.

Best Practices for Business Owners in 2025 and Beyond

As a business owner, you likely spend most of your days – and many of your nights – thinking about the daily operations of your

  • Architects & Engineers, Beverage Distribution, Biofuels, Business Valuation, Construction, Equipment Dealers, Family Business Advising, Food And Beverage, Manufacturing, Next Gen Strategy, Not-for-Profits
A hand places a red figure block atop a pyramid of black figure blocks, representing leadership or hierarchy.

Is Your Business Ready for Leadership Transition?

Whether your leadership transition is months or years away, there are crucial steps you can take now to prepare for a successful outcome. But successful

  • Animal Protein, Architects & Engineers, Biofuels, Broadband Solutions, Business Valuation, Commodity Crops, Construction, Equipment Dealers, Family Business Advising, Financial Institutions, Food And Beverage, Manufacturing, Next Gen Strategy, Permanent & Specialty Crops
The White House, adorned with an overlay of the American flag gently waving in the foreground, symbolizes a harmonious blend of tradition and diligence, much like a year-end checklist for manufacturers ensuring every detail is meticulously accounted for.

Tax Strategy Checklist for Manufacturers in 2025

As January quickly approaches, there are some important items to check off before next year is here. Following the national election and ongoing shifts in

  • Accounting, Manufacturing, Strategic Advisory, Tax Compliance & Strategy
Press podium at the White House with microphones, a sign displaying "The White House, Washington," and a U.S. flag in the background against a blue curtain.

Summary of Election Impacts for Ag Producers and Processors

The 2024 federal elections will have significant impacts on policies that affect U.S. food and agriculture. With election day in the rear-view mirror, it is

  • Accounting, Animal Protein, Commodity Crops, Equipment Dealers, Food & Agriculture, Food And Beverage, Government & Public Affairs, Manufacturing, Permanent & Specialty Crops, Tax Compliance & Strategy
Green highway sign reads "Newly Proposed 2023 Tax Deductions Just Ahead" with arrows pointing forward, set against a partly cloudy sky.

Newly Proposed 2023 Tax Deductions: Money in your Pocket… If Passed

Congress has drafted new tax legislation that is shaping up well amongst both the House and Senate Committee leaders. The $78 billion tax agreement, introduced

  • Accounting, Biofuels, Construction, Farm Business Management, Financial Institutions, Food & Agriculture, Food And Beverage, HR Services, Manufacturing, Sustainability
Rows of brown glass bottles with golden caps glide along a production line in a beverage factory, destined to cross grocery store barriers and reach eager customers.

5 Common Barriers to the Grocery Store Market

The food industry is a highly competitive and dynamic sector that requires a deep understanding of consumer needs, market trends, and retail operations. Despite the

  • Food And Beverage, Manufacturing
Don't miss the deadline

FinCEN Reporting Deadline Alert: What Every Business Needs to Know

Beginning January 1, 2024, the Corporate Transparency Act requires all U.S.-based entities to report to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) detailed information about the

  • Animal Protein, Biofuels, Equipment Dealers, Financial Institutions, Food & Agriculture, Food And Beverage, Manufacturing
How the Holidays Can Shape Your Family Legacy

The Risks of Letting Your Legacy Ride: How Estate Planning Protects the Family

Ask any successful family business leader “What is your most important accomplishment?” The overwhelming response is: ‘my legacy’. And yet, only one in six have

  • Animal Protein, Biofuels, Commodity Crops, Construction, Equipment Dealers, Financial Institutions, Food & Agriculture, Food And Beverage, Manufacturing, Next Gen Strategy, Permanent & Specialty Crops
Cyber Attack

How Vulnerable Is Your Business to a Cyber Attack?

In light of the recent cyberattack that shut down Dole’s North American production, businesses are reminded once again of the importance of cybersecurity and keeping

  • Animal Protein, Biofuels, Commodity Crops, Construction, Equipment Dealers, Financial Institutions, Food And Beverage, Manufacturing, Permanent & Specialty Crops
UN COP15 conference outlines COP15 goals

How Producers Play a Role in 2030 Biodiversity Targets

In December 2022, the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity was held in Montréal with a focus

  • Animal Protein, Biofuels, Commodity Crops, Farm Business Management, Food & Agriculture, Food And Beverage, Manufacturing, Permanent & Specialty Crops, Sustainability
R&D tax credit

R&D Tax Credit Changes for 2022 Tax Year

As a reminder, the 2022 tax season represents a drastic change for manufacturers who typically take research and development (R&D) tax credits. Previously, in respect

  • Accounting, Biofuels, Food And Beverage, Manufacturing
Succession planning statistic

Test Your Succession Plan

Proactive planning for the long-term future of your business gives it staying power. The surest way to secure the legacy of a business is to

  • Equipment Dealers, Family Business Advising, Farm Business Management, Manufacturing, Next Gen Strategy
IRA Tax Credits

Summary of IRA Tax Credits for Ag and Clean Energy

On August 7th, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022. The bill is now expected to be

  • Accounting, Biofuels, Commodity Crops, Farm Program Services, Food & Agriculture, Government & Public Affairs, Manufacturing
Inflation Reduction Act

Overview of the Inflation Reduction Act

Following its approval by the U.S. Senate on August 7, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) – also referred

  • Accounting, Animal Protein, Biofuels, Commodity Crops, Farm Program Services, Food & Agriculture, Government & Public Affairs, Manufacturing
A Look at the Modern Audit: Are You Missing Out?

A Look at the Modern Audit: Are You Missing Out?

While most companies think of audits as an annual necessity, the vast majority typically keep to the same old standards and don’t know to ask

  • Accounting, Audit & Assurance, Beverage Distribution, Biofuels, Construction, Equipment Dealers, Financial Institutions, Food And Beverage, Manufacturing, Strategic Advisory
IRS Bulletin

How to Secure a Business Network

There are four primary cyber security measures that every business should implement to secure its network. The cycle to follow includes: identification, protection, detection, and

  • Equipment Dealers, Food And Beverage, Manufacturing
Estate Tax Planning

Estate Tax Planning: Possible Changes Ahead

No matter what the presidential outcome, there was never any question that the outlook for estate tax planning would be different in 2021. How much

  • Accounting, Animal Protein, Beverage Distribution, Biofuels, Commodity Crops, Construction, Equipment Dealers, Farm Business Management, Financial Institutions, Food & Agriculture, Food And Beverage, Government & Public Affairs, Manufacturing, Next Gen Strategy, Permanent & Specialty Crops, Strategic Advisory
New 1099 Nonemployee Compensation Tax Form for 2020 Tax Year

Business Tax Update: New 1099 Nonemployee Compensation Tax Form for 2020 Tax Year

After a 38-year absence, Form 1099 Nonemployee Compensation Tax has made its return in the 2020 tax year, and its January 31 deadlines are right

  • Accounting, Animal Protein, Commodity Crops, Construction, Equipment Dealers, Financial Institutions, Food & Agriculture, Food And Beverage, Manufacturing, Permanent & Specialty Crops
Meal and Entertainment Deductions

Business Tax Update: Many Meal and Entertainment Deductions Have Increased

In an effort to provide additional stimulus funding, The Consolidated Appropriations Act was signed by the President on December 27, 2020. Included in the guidance

  • Accounting, Biofuels, Equipment Dealers, Financial Institutions, Food & Agriculture, Food And Beverage, Manufacturing, Permanent & Specialty Crops
PPP Applicants are Stuck Fighting Fraud due to Security Breaches

PPP Applicants are Stuck Fighting Fraud due to Security Breaches

In recent weeks, we have learned of an uptick in fraud cases for businesses who have applied for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds for coronavirus

  • Biofuels, Commodity Crops, Construction, Equipment Dealers, Financial Institutions, Food & Agriculture, Food And Beverage, Manufacturing, Permanent & Specialty Crops
Employee Retention Tax Credit ERTC

CARES Act: Employee Retention Tax Credit is Available

With all of the coverage and focus on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, many businesses are unaware of the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC)

  • Accounting, Construction, Equipment Dealers, Financial Institutions, Manufacturing
Family Business Coaching small business

IRS Issues Small Business Reminders

‘Small Business Week’ prompted the IRS to publish reminders for entrepreneurs and businesses on how they can better estimate their tax situation and plan ahead.

  • Accounting, Beverage Distribution, Construction, Equipment Dealers, Financial Institutions, Food And Beverage, Manufacturing
The Application of Blockchains in Ag

The Application of Blockchain in Ag

Agriculture is steadily adopting the use of blockchain technology to improve sustainability by enabling the entire food supply chain – growers, processors, manufacturers, retailers and

  • Animal Protein, Commodity Crops, Food & Agriculture, Manufacturing, Permanent & Specialty Crops
How Business Owners Can Avoid Costly Mistakes

How Business Owners Can Avoid Costly Mistakes

It’s inevitable. One day, you will step down from running your business. The timing and transition for when and to whom you relinquish control are

  • Beverage Distribution, Biofuels, Construction, Equipment Dealers, Food And Beverage, Manufacturing, Next Gen Strategy
How Behavioral Change Benefits the Bottom Line

How Behavioral Change Benefits the Bottom Line

As a business owner or high-level manager, you have the enormous power to effect change in behavior patterns – for both the individuals and groups

  • Biofuels, Construction, Equipment Dealers, Food & Agriculture, Food And Beverage, Manufacturing
New Opportunity Zone Tax Benefits Make an Attractive Investment

New Opportunity Zone Tax Benefits Make an Attractive Investment

Established within the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the new Opportunity Zone legislation was created to develop economically-distressed communities across the United States

  • Accounting, Biofuels, Construction, Equipment Dealers, Financial Institutions, Food & Agriculture, Food And Beverage, Manufacturing
Fuel Price

Don’t Forget: 2019 Standard Mileage Rates Have Changed

The IRS issued an increase in the standard mileage rates for business travel, effective January 1, 2019, under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of

  • Accounting, Beverage Distribution, Biofuels, Construction, Equipment Dealers, Financial Institutions, Food & Agriculture, Food And Beverage, Manufacturing
Tax Reform Prompts Businesses to Rethink Employee Leave Policies

Tax Reform Prompts Businesses to Rethink Employee Leave Policies

While there tends to be focus on the larger line items resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, there are some lesser-known

  • Accounting, Biofuels, Construction, Equipment Dealers, Financial Institutions, Food & Agriculture, Food And Beverage, Manufacturing
wealth management

Major Midwest Expansion Ahead for K·Coe Isom

K·Coe Isom is expanding deeper into the Midwest with its announcement of a new office location in Indianapolis, Indiana. The move makes room for further

  • Equipment Dealers, Food & Agriculture, Manufacturing
Financial Data Protection

How Safe is Your Financial Data?

Recent national cybercrime headlines: “Cybercriminals Obtain Employee Credentials to Conduct Payroll Diversion” “Business Email Compromises Business Data” “Increase in W-2 Phishing Campaigns” Imagine if you

  • Accounting, Biofuels, Equipment Dealers, Financial Institutions, Food & Agriculture, Food And Beverage, Manufacturing
Anticipation of Retaliation over US Tariff Approvals Hits Home

How the Trade War is Affecting U.S. Agriculture

The United States has instigated an aggressive global trade war that is escalating and directly harming many U.S. agricultural producers by driving up the costs

  • Biofuels, Commodity Crops, Food & Agriculture, Food And Beverage, Manufacturing, Permanent & Specialty Crops
Midyear Tax Checkup Pays Off for Manufacturers

Midyear Tax Checkup Pays Off for Manufacturers

The new provisions for 2018 have changed a multitude of tax deductions, exemptions, rates and brackets. Now that the fanfare around the ‘first tax reform

  • Accounting, Biofuels, Food And Beverage, Manufacturing
wealth management

K·Coe Isom Announces Wealth Management Partnership

K·Coe Isom’s subsidiary K·Coe Wealth has entered into a joint venture with HBK CPA’s affiliate HBKS Wealth Advisors. The partnership, a mutually-beneficial combination of specialized

  • Construction, Financial Institutions, Food & Agriculture, Manufacturing, Newsroom
For S Corps: Does a C Corp Conversion Make $ense?

For S Corps: Does a C Corp Conversion Make $ense?

Is a C Corp Conversion Right for S Corps? Now that the law has been established for 2018 and beyond, S corporation clients are asking

  • Accounting, Biofuels, Construction, Financial Institutions, Food & Agriculture, Manufacturing