Ravago acquires majority interest in M. Holland | SpartanNash streamlining, improving business model | City Electric Supply cuts ribbon on new branch in Azle, Texas
UPS employees represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters have approved a historic, 5-year contract, averting a potential strike. The union said 86% voted in favor of the agreement, which will be retroactive to Aug. 1.
Ravago has purchased a controlling interest in M. Holland in a deal that will see the latter continue to operate independently, but as a subsidiary of the group. "Following an exhaustive review of strategic paths, we determined the best way to serve our stakeholders and set up M. Holland for success over the next 70 years was to partner with an organization that shared our passion for employees, customers and suppliers," said Chairman and CEO Ed Holland.
SpartanNash is updating its go-to-market strategy by improving customer service, widening training efforts, upping brand standards and fully integrating previous mergers and acquisitions, according to President and CEO Tony Sarsam. "This plan builds on our signature strength of being the most customer-focused, innovative food solutions company," said Sarsam. "Along with providing our customers with enhanced service, the plan is expected to contribute $20 million in run-rate cost savings starting later this year."
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Distributors developing partnerships with new suppliers should factor in profitability, brand strength, innovation, operational capability and strategic alignment, writes Steve Gettleman of SG Consulting Services. "Trust, communication and transparency are critical here for they are the only ways to determine if you are truly aligned and give you the best chance to attain your objectives," Gettleman writes.
Companies eyeing a move toward electric vehicle fleets should support fleet managers, gather real-world experience, build tech partnerships and be flexible, say executives from Sysco, Genentech and Amazon. Company leaders, construction and electrification teams must be involved early in the planning process and anticipate predictive and corrective maintenance of the fleet, says Stephane Fosso, Sysco's director of fleet technology and electrification.
Drought-induced Panama Canal backups that now total roughly 200 ships could affect holiday sales for some retailers that have reduced warehouse inventories, which had become bloated amid the pandemic, according to a Container xChange report. Container xChange CEO Christian Roeloffs says the backup has already driven competition for slots and spot freight rates and "prompted carriers to reevaluate pricing strategies to offset increased costs and uncertainties."
Just as in sports, a coach can identify each team member's strengths and weaknesses and develop strategies to keep them performing their best, writes Lloyd Lofton, founder of Power Behind the Sales. Coaches also can give sales teams otherwise-overlooked insights, a game plan and an understanding of "what truly matters in the moment," Lofton says, offering some other examples.
The layers within the digital marketing supply chain have given rise to campaigns running alongside disinformation and reputation risks for brands while funding those who "manipulate public opinion," writes Claire Atkin, Check My Ads Institute CEO. Atkin suggests marketers rely more on log-level data, enlist research firms to audit campaign data -- not just at the high level -- and demand a refund, not a makegood, when there are discrepancies.
As central bankers gather in Wyoming this week, the Federal Reserve is continuing to face a dilemma about how hard to push to achieve its goal of lowering inflation toward the traditional 2% target. "They've got to get the core inflation down below 3% before you start feeling really good about this," says former Chicago Fed President Charles Evans.
If you're not getting the opinion of all of your workers, you're missing out on some great ideas, and your team will only know that you want their input because you ask specifically for what you want and make it easy for them to share without fear or embarrassment, says executive Logan Mallory of Motivosity. "Make sure employees know the feedback was heard so they don't withhold it the next time around," Mallory writes.
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