US durable goods orders climbed 2.6% in March, mainly due to the surging demand for new vehicles and passenger aircraft, according to Commerce Department data. Excluding transportation, manufacturing activity was weaker, with core capital goods orders rising just 0.2% from the previous month and 0.6% from a year earlier. February core capital goods orders were revised lower, from a 0.7% increase to 0.4%.

First quarter revenue was essentially flat for industrial and building materials distributors facing cost inflation, deflationary pricing in fasteners and other sectors and sluggish demand, according to a Baird-MDM Industrial Distribution Survey. Revenues were 190 basis points lower than the anticipated growth of 1.4% from the previous quarter. Respondents reported margin compression across the sector and growing customer resistance to price hikes but remained optimistic about the second quarter.

Cameron Ashley Building Products expanded its presence in New England by opening a distribution center in New Haven, Conn., adding to the company's network of 60 distribution centers. "New Haven will immediately implement our F^ST delivery options providing same-day and next-day service to our customers. Our central location is perfect to service the Gold Coast, while also providing our customers with an attractive pickup point for will call orders," said District Manager Phil Rose.

Graybar is undergoing a strategic transformation initiative to streamline processes and improve employee, customer and supplier experiences via advanced technology integration. The 155-year-old company is focused on using data analytics and AI to empower employees with tools to boost efficiency and provide customers with self-service capabilities. Corporate Communications Manager Tim Sommer details the "Graybar Connect" initiative, which CEO Kathy Mazzarella says is "reimagining the company's existing infrastructure and processes to create a seamless and personalized experience."

Technology projects are important for growth and innovation, but challenges often arise moving from the pilot stage to full-scale application, writes Rick Pozniak, founder of Move78 consulting and integration services company. Pozniak details potential challenges and offers solutions, such as ensuring the project aligns with business goals, comprehensive early planning, effective change management, an incremental approach to scaling and constant evaluation and adaptation.

Costas Xyloyiannis, CEO of HICX, offers tips on how the global consumer packaged goods industry can promote supplier diversity. Xyloyiannis recommends surveying current suppliers, onboarding new diverse suppliers and keeping accurate data on diverse suppliers once they are part of the supply chain.

Jennifer Ross, fractional chief marketing officer and executive director of marketing strategy at 2X, explains three ways business-to-business marketers can improve their marketing operating model. Make sure strategy is informed by desired outcomes, consider alternative resourcing and champion innovation to uncover efficiencies, Ross advises.

US private sector activity slowed in April, while surveys in the eurozone, Japan, India and Australia pointed to growth. This indicates the global recovery could become more balanced as US growth slows. The S&P US Composite Purchasing Managers' Index fell to 50.9 in April from 52.1 in March, while the eurozone's composite PMI climbed to 51.4 from 50.3.

Leaders may be missing the mark if they routinely establish unrealistic expectations, frequently contact employees after hours or fail to make themselves visible and available to workers, writes Aytekin Tank, founder and CEO of Jotform.

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Join us on May 22 at 1 pm ET for the next webinar in our "How-to with NAW" series. Each episode is a micro-revolution for your distribution business, delivering practical takeaways and actionable steps you can implement immediately.