Private US companies added 192,000 jobs in April, demonstrating continued labor market strength across various sectors, according to ADP data. April job gains were lower than March but above expectations, with the strongest gains in leisure and hospitality and construction. Pay increased 5% from a year earlier, the smallest year-over-year gain since 2021.

MDM's latest webcast will take place today at 1 p.m., unveiling the findings of a months-long study that featured hundreds of distribution executives and areas where they saw innovation investment success. Data shows that 60% of distributors attempted at least three innovation strategies, with the most interest surrounding data analytics, AI offerings and digital retail models.

Pennsylvania-based electrical distributor Schaedler Yesco last week celebrated the grand opening of its latest regional distribution center in Lower Burrell, Penn., located a short drive from Pittsburgh. The 90,000-square-foot facility was vacant for 15 years until purchased in 2022, and the center became operational last October.

Several ramifications of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore and the city's port closure have emerged as time has elapsed, including increased road congestion and long-term changes to shipping traffic into and out of the port, underscoring the importance of supply chain agility and resilience, writes Siddharth Priyesh, vice president of CrimsonLogic. Priyesh recommends developing contingency plans, integrating AI to improve transparency and advocating for the government to prioritize emergency response systems.

Experts Vivek Ghelani and Marisa Brown write that technology can help achieve environmental, social, and governance goals for supply chains. "Emerging technologies, including AI and blockchain, hold promise for enhancing transparency and traceability within supply chains, thereby facilitating ESG objectives," they write.

Frederique Campbell of 360Learning recommends involving sales staff in creating content for training, as well as asking staff members which skills they need to improve. "Turning your employees into subject matter experts also keeps their skills sharp and promotes higher employee engagement, which, in turn, boosts employee retention," says Campbell.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has signaled the central bank will keep interest rates high for an extended period due to ongoing inflation pressures, as it maintained rates between 5.25% and 5.5%. The Fed's cautious approach reflects challenges in achieving its 2% inflation target amid current economic conditions. "It is likely to take longer for us to gain confidence that we are on a sustainable path down to 2% inflation," Powell said. "I don't know how long it will take."

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