The Labor Department reported a 0.9% surge in US import prices in April, the steepest climb since March 2022, signaling persistent inflationary pressure. The unexpected rise, surpassing economists' projections of a 0.3% increase, marks the most significant yearly jump in more than two years and threatens to disrupt the Federal Reserve's plans for potential interest rate cuts.

Manufacturing executives anticipate a 2.1% increase in annual revenues, according to a survey from the Institute for Supply Management, a steep drop from the previously anticipated 5.6% revenue growth in a December survey. Manufacturers' latest expectations reflect similar predictions in the latest MDM forecast, which saw declines in revenue growth projections in 17 of 19 wholesale distribution sectors.

Gypsum Management and Supply is acquiring Yvon Building Supply and its affiliates in a $144.3 million deal. Yvon includes seven locations in the Toronto, Ontario, area that sell drywall, insulation, steel and other products. GMS expects the deal to boost its reach in Ontario. The acquisition, GMS' third of the year, is expected to be completed in July.

President Joe Biden's recent tariff hikes on Chinese imports are the latest in a prolonged effort to reconfigure Asian trade routes, with Taiwan's exports to the US rising over 80% in April compared to the previous year, data shows. "If the ultimate goal was 'near-shoring or friend-shoring,' ... then the strategy is working," says Henry Gao, a law professor at Singapore Management University.

Humanoid robots, designed to mimic human form and function, have the potential to revolutionize manufacturing and other sectors by taking on tasks in environments around humans by using cutting-edge technologies like AI and advanced sensors. Alongside challenges such as cost and safety, some experts think the sector should focus less on what a robot looks like and more on whether it can match or exceed human workplace performance.

Rapid technological advancements are driving the need for ongoing education in the supply chain sector, with companies increasingly prioritizing internal training. Augmented reality is emerging as a powerful tool, providing immersive and practical training experiences to enhance skills and operational efficiency.

The benefits of data-driven decision-making for business-to-business marketing include better campaign optimization and targeting, more innovation and improved return on investment, writes Blue Mail Media's Michael Ethan. He also explains how B2B marketers can address data challenges, including privacy, data quality and availability.

The average supply chain salary rose above $100,000 for the first time in 2023, hitting an average of $103,000, according to a survey from the Association for Supply Chain Management. Professionals with a degree earned $25,000 more on average than colleagues without a degree, while certifications also boosted salaries by a median of $10,000.

Some Federal Reserve officials are maintaining a cautious approach to interest-rate policy despite positive news on the inflation front last week. "I don't see any indicators now telling me ... there's a reason to change the stance of monetary policy now," said John Williams, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Meanwhile, Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester said that "we will need to accumulate further data over the coming months to have a clearer picture of the inflation outlook."

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