In the latest episode of the MDM Podcast, executive editor Mike Hockett speaks with Brad Wallace from LKCM Headwater Investments and the pair delves into the 2022 merger that formed Distribution Solutions Group, combining Lawson Products, TestEquity and GexPro Services. Wallace details the strategic reasons for the merger, its impact on the market, and DSG's future growth plans. Wallace also provides a private equity perspective on the ongoing appeal of the distribution industry.

Imperial Dade has acquired San-A-Care, a janitorial equipment and supplies distributor based in Waukesha, Wisc. The deal is the 19th acquisition for Imperial Dade this year, and will expand the company's presence in the Milwaukee area as it continues its growth strategy under the leadership of Robert and Jason Tillis. Terms of the deal were not made public.

Dental and medical supply distributor Henry Schein has agreed to acquire Acentus, a supplier of continuous glucose monitors, for undisclosed terms. The acquisition furthers Henry Schein's ambitions in the homecare medical market. Tampa-based Acentus brings in around $35 million in annual revenue, and the company's founders will join Henry Schein after the deal closes in the first quarter of 2025.

Weyerhaeuser has implemented an AI2Infinity-developed AI system at its Sutton oriented strand board facility in West Virginia to streamline workflow and optimize operations. The system analyzes data from dryers to adjust settings for temperature and humidity, complementing the work of equipment operators, who have lauded the technology, which is being replicated at other facilities.

Supply chain due diligence is crucial as companies shift production to Mexico, but US companies must ensure they know their suppliers to protect intellectual property, especially when dealing with Chinese-owned manufacturers in Mexico, writes Norman Katz, president of Katzscan Inc. "Nearshoring to Mexico will reduce transportation times and costs, but it doesn't seem to have done as much to separate us from our dependency upon a top competitor as perhaps we may have thought it would," Katz notes.

A LinkedIn and MAGNA Media Trials study shows that 55% of business decision-makers find B2B ads on LinkedIn to have clear messaging, but only 36% say the ads are emotionally appealing. Nearly half of decision-makers say they would be more interested in a company's products or services if the ads were more creative, and creative ads are 40% more likely to lead to consideration and receive more engagement.

Colleen Francis, a sales expert, challenges the notion that businesses are too unique to benefit from others' experiences. "If you focus on the similarities instead of the differences, you will rise above the noise that's in your market, and you'll stand out because you'll be the first one in your market with that customer in that industry doing it that way," Francis writes.

Business spending on generative AI has surged 500% this year, reaching $13.8 billion, according to Menlo Ventures. Companies are increasingly using multiple AI models, and expanding their uses of the technology. Menlo Ventures notes that AI agents are a significant trend, enhancing productivity and revenue generation. The leading use of AI is code generation, followed by support chatbots and enterprise search.

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