Distribution Solutions Group reported that its adjusted first-quarter revenue increased 28% to $348 million and it expects revenue and profit to continue rising for the full year even as certain end markets fluctuate. The company, which was formed in the merger of Lawson Products, Gexpro Services and TestEquity last year, expects to finalize its acquisition of HIS Company by the end of the second quarter.
The US trucking sector added 3,000 jobs in April to total 1.6 million, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, which Arrive Logistics' David Spencer says "defy expectations" due to the freight recession. Warehouse jobs increased from 165,000 in March to 253,000 in April.
UPS opened roughly 1 million square feet of facility space dedicated to serving its healthcare customer segment during the first quarter and plans to open seven more facilities to serve the market this year, according to company officials. UPS generated $9.2 billion in revenue from its healthcare portfolio in 2022 and expects the number to surpass $10 billion this year.
Unexpected supply chain challenges could affect distributors' reputation, sales and cash flow, but companies can turn to tools and strategies that offer accurate forecasts and real-time data and analytics on inventory to improve supply chains, writes Jon Byrd of supply chain technology company Sikich. Distributors should focus on maintaining direct communication with suppliers, optimizing tracking capabilities and phasing out manual data entry, Byrd writes.
E-commerce fulfillment company ShipHero has simplified and accelerated its warehouse fulfillment process using inVia Robotics' automation system, with workers more than doubling the number of units they pick per hour and place onto an input rack so they can be scanned by inVia robots, according to ShipHero Chief Operating Officer Maggie Barnett. ShipHero uses the robots at warehouses in Jacksonville, Fla., Allentown, Pa., and Las Vegas.
Ericka Podesta McCoy, chief marketing officer of Resonate, urges business-to-business marketers to view B2B prospects through a consumer lens and reach them with human-centric messaging via consumer channels. "By focusing on the human side of B2B marketing (i.e., what drives a person's decisions not just as an employee but also as a person), companies can create more authentic and engaging messaging that resonates with buyers on a deeper level," McCoy writes.
Washington state recently enacted House Bill 1762, which protects warehouse workers from productivity quotas. Teamsters have vowed to advocate for similar legislation across the US and says there are currently 12 similar bills pending.
Generative artificial intelligence apps like ChatGPT can't know what people are thinking in the moment -- or how and why their thinking changes over time -- which is one reason to avoid using it as a tool for thought leadership, writes Shane Snow, a CEO, author and speaker in the innovation and leadership space. The more important reason: AI can execute a vision but not generate one, writes Snow, who also explains why AI's research is also often flawed.
Join NAW and McKinsey leaders on May 10 as they share their latest thinking on how to preserve margins through pricing and category management and lead a panel discussion with executives who have successfully navigated similar challenges. Register now.
