Home Depot completed its acquisition of building materials distributor SRS Distribution ahead of schedule. The more than $18 billion SRS deal provides the do-it-yourself retailer with a major boost in the contractor supplier sector. SRS includes more than 750 branch locations, 10,000 employees and a fleet of delivery vehicles.

Distributors may feel hesitant to incorporate AI, but procrastinating rather than jumping in can be detrimental, said panelists at an Industrial Supply Association convention. Panelists urged distributors to partner with software-as-a-service solutions and let go of the idea that data has to be perfect to be useful. Communicating thoroughly about the changes AI will lead to is essential, said Proton.ai CEO Benj Cohen, who stressed the need to manage employees' concerns about how their jobs will change.

US industrial production rebounded in May with a 0.9% increase, led by a 0.9% surge in manufacturing output, according to Federal Reserve data. The manufacturing sector, which accounts for three-quarters of total industrial production was boosted by rising production of consumer goods such as autos and appliances. Capacity utilization at factories also increased to 77.1%.

A strategy focused on standardizing and managing data is the core component to improving supply chain traceability and sustainability, writes Katrina Duck from Inspectorio. The other two critical areas are upstream visibility to support a clear view of the entire supply chain and solid, collaborative relationships that reinforce a healthy ecosystem, writes Duck.

A risk assessment and remediation strategy that addresses areas of vulnerability such as sourcing and disruption contingencies is essential for stabilizing finances, says Marissa Adams, Americas head of global trade solutions at HSBC. Planning alternate supplier options and making a commitment to conducting consistent risk assessments are also essential, says Adams.

Mapping software allows users to visualize market trends, understand customer demographics and optimize coverage areas, making it a crucial tool for strategic sales planning and collaboration. It can also be used for competitor analysis, allowing sales managers to see market gaps left by competitors and adapt strategies to cover those areas.

A company's culture should reflect its values and mission, writes Tracy Lawrence, the founder and CEO of The Lawrence Advisory, but cultures can be evaluated and shifted for a better fit. "Cultural change is a long and challenging process that requires ongoing commitment, clear communication, and alignment of organizational practices with the desired cultural attributes," Lawrence writes.

In the competitive hiring landscape, recruiters must balance personalization and automation to improve candidate experience and efficiency. Personalized communication, such as tailored outreach and interview feedback, fosters strong candidate relationships.

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