Prices at the producer level were unchanged in September from the previous month, per data from the Bureau of Labor statistics. Economists expected a 0.1% rise following a 0.2% increase in August. Producer prices are up 1.8% year-over-year. 

Dockworkers are resisting automation at US ports, fearing job losses as companies implement automated cranes and vehicles to increase efficiency. Union leaders view automation as a threat to traditional dockworker roles, while port operators claim it creates new jobs that require specialized skills. Automation is more advanced in European and Asian ports and has boosted productivity. Economists argue that while automation is inevitable, the focus should be on helping workers adapt through training, as seen in countries like Germany.

Core & Main, a St. Louis-based distributor of wastewater and fire protection products, is expanding its distribution network in New Jersey with the acquisition of ARGCO Northeast and Eastcom Associates. ARGCO Northeast, based in Saddle Brook, N.J., is a fire protection products distributor, while Eastcom Associates, located in Branchburg, N.J., provides underground utility protection equipment.

Sonepar, a leading distributor of electrical equipment, has announced significant leadership changes in its North American operations. Dana Mouritzen will be chief operating officer for the US and Jerome Baniol will be global deputy chief financial officer starting in January. Other key appointments include Kris Prebola as senior vice president of finance for Sonepar Americas and Peter Bruhn as senior vice president of general counsel and strategic development.

DXP Enterprises, a Houston distributor of pumping solutions and industrial supplies, has refinanced its debt through a senior secured term loan B and raised an additional $105 million. The refinancing aims to reduce interest expenses and provide liquidity for acquisitions and reinvestment in the business.

Amazon has introduced new tools to enhance delivery efficiency and customer satisfaction, including Vision Assisted Package Retrieval, which uses green lights to guide delivery personnel to the correct packages and will be added to 1,000 Rivian electric delivery trucks next year. Amazon is also deploying AI software to help customers make quicker purchasing decisions by providing detailed product information and recommendations.

Fastener supplier Endries International has used generative AI to transform its operations, achieving a 30% increase in win rates and saving 7,200 hours annually in part-matching tasks by automating repetitive processes and empowering workers to focus on strategic initiatives, enhancing customer service and vendor relationships, writes Infor's Mark Siner. This case is an example of how AI can drive efficiency and growth in the industrial distribution sector, highlighting the importance of a strategic approach to AI adoption, including a roadmap for development and governance, writes Siner, whose company worked with Endries on the initiative.

A video-first marketing strategy is essential for business-to-business marketers to quickly connect with buyers who are increasingly embracing e-commerce and using platforms like YouTube for research, writes James Bryant, co-founder of Venture Videos. Bryant explains how videos can help B2B marketers communicate complex ideas and solutions, entertain with live demonstrations and build trust through customer stories.

The Federal Trade Commission has issued a final rule expanding how much information companies must disclose when seeking approval of proposed mergers. The change is a scaled-back version of an earlier proposal that drew corporate criticism, but it still requires firms to provide more information than they currently must. The FTC says the new arrangement will help it make merger decisions more rapidly and says it might return to completing merger reviews before the standard 30-day waiting period ends.

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