function wt_brands_shortcode( $atts, $content ){
    global $db;

    echo '<!-- BRANDS SHORTCODE IS RUNNING -->';

    $max_items = isset($atts['max_brands']) ? (int)$atts['max_brands'] : 8;

    $brands = $db->Execute("SELECT * FROM " . TABLE_MANUFACTURERS . " ORDER BY manufacturers_name", $max_items);

    echo '<!-- BRANDS COUNT: ' . $brands->RecordCount() . ' -->';

    $output = '';
    if ($brands->RecordCount() > 0) {
        foreach ($brands as $brand) {
            $image_path = DIR_WS_IMAGES . $brand['manufacturers_image'];
            $output .= '<a href="' . zen_href_link(FILENAME_DEFAULT, 'manufacturers_id=' . $brand['manufacturers_id']) . '">';
            $output .= '<img src="' . $image_path . '" alt="' . htmlspecialchars($brand['manufacturers_name']) . '" loading="lazy">';
            $output .= '</a>';
        }
    } else {
        $output = '<!-- NO BRANDS FOUND IN DATABASE -->';
    }

    return $output;
}