A US District Court judge in the Northern District of Texas partly blocked the Federal Trade Commission's ban on noncompete agreements for most workers and plans to rule on the case's merits by Aug. 30. The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors applauded the decision, with Chief Government Relations Officer Brian Wild saying the noncompete ban "does not serve the interests of businesses, workers or consumers." NAW filed an amicus brief in May that argued the FTC's proposal relied on cherry-picked data and overstepped the agency's authority.

Modern Distribution Management's 2024 Mid-year Economic Outlook shows that US wholesale distribution revenue declined 1.7% last year, but sectors like pharmaceuticals and motor vehicles grew. The forecast predicts a 3.3% revenue increase this year and 4.8% in 2025, driven by industry consolidation, technological advancements and a focus on customer experience.

OSHA has proposed a rule to protect workers from extreme heat, mandating distributors, manufacturers and construction employers to establish heat injury prevention plans, monitoring, record keeping and training, with specific measures such as providing cool drinking water and paid rest breaks at temperature thresholds. The proposal faces a 120-day comment period before finalization and is expected to encounter resistance.

High interest rates are prompting companies to reduce their reliance on supply chain finance programs, which were popular during the pandemic as they allowed companies to manage cash flow by delaying payments to vendors. However, such offerings have become costlier as rates rise. AT&T is paying down its balances to reduce costs and Keurig Dr Pepper is renegotiating terms with vendors in exchange for lower prices amid regulatory scrutiny and new disclosure requirements from the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

Futures trading for container shipping rates on the Asia-North Europe route has surged, suggesting the maritime industry expects continued Houthi disruptions in the Red Sea throughout the next year. The significant uptick in early 2025 futures contrasts with current spot rates, indicating ongoing concerns over security and shipping route stability.

Keeping up with an ever-changing regulatory environment and the visibility demands related to environmental, social and governance compliance makes the use of a multienterprise platform critical, writes Eric Linxwiler of TradeBeyond. "Digitalization introduces the visibility that businesses need to constantly monitor, analyze, and improve the sustainability performance of their supply chains down to the Nth tier, including water and energy consumption and Scope 3 carbon emissions," writes Linxwiler.

From creating an "answer economy" to giving e-commerce customers more power, AI has transcended silos to start transforming the marketing industry. BrandRank.AI CEO Pete Blackshaw examines 10 of those changes and the best ways companies can adapt to meet them.

Two-thirds of CFOs reported automation as a top priority in a survey by Duke University's Fuqua School of Business and the Federal Reserve Banks of Richmond and Atlanta. Companies are quickly turning to automation and AI to boost product quality, increase output and lower labor costs. Steve Levy, vice president at Infor specializing in distribution, examines the trend and urges companies to invest now to "thrive in an increasingly automated and AI-driven future."

Federal Reserve officials signaled no immediate plans to cut interest rates due to persistent inflation concerns, according to the minutes from their June meeting. They noted economic developments such as slower wage growth and increased consumer sensitivity to price hikes, which support the expectation that inflation will decline over the next year. Some officials suggested that an increase in immigration might be stabilizing the labor market, while others cautioned that job growth might be overstated.

Attending the Innovators Summit lets you stay updated with the latest industry developments and remain ahead of your competitors. By being aware of emerging trends and disruptive technologies, you can proactively adapt your business strategies, identify new revenue streams, and gain a competitive edge in the market. Learn more here.

The NAW Company Roundtables are an exclusive community of thought leaders from Billion Dollar and Large Company distribution enterprises who congregate to network with non-competing peers in multiple lines of trade on key issues. Learn more about the many Roundtable event opportunities we offer, and how your leaders can get involved. Learn more.

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