Sonepar's World Electric, an electrical distributor, has opened a 266,000-square-foot regional distribution center in Hialeah Gardens, Fla., that will serve commercial, industrial and residential customers. The facility features technology aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, including climate control, automated lighting and picking robots, with Locus robots to be introduced in early 2025.

Walmart has achieved 21% growth in global ecommerce as well as increased membership income, profit and ad revenue by strategically investing in technology, particularly generative AI, to enhance product data, cross-selling and seller support. Distributors can adopt similar strategies by using AI to improve product catalogs, generate real-time recommendations and assist sales teams with data insights, writes Benj Cohen, founder of Proton.ai.

Core & Main has opened an 8,000-square-foot branch in Chattanooga, Tenn., to enhance its service to waterworks customers in the area and strengthen its presence in the region. The facility also includes more than two acres of yard space. The infrastructure and industrial supplies distributor recently reported year-over-year sales and margin gains compared with a year ago.

UPS Supply Chain Solutions is using Verity's autonomous drones for inventory management at its Velocity facility in Shepherdsville, Ky. The initiative, which began in July, has halved the hours spent on inventory processes and eliminated high-reach tasks for employees.

Some 48% of supply chain leaders are most concerned about tariffs and trade barriers, followed closely by supply chain disruptions and geopolitical instability, per a study by Descartes Systems Group and SAPIO Research. These concerns suggest that supply chain professionals must examine their networks for pinch points and work on building greater resilience through strategies like supplier diversification and improved risk assessment.

The Logistics Managers' Index for October was 58.9, and the November figure of 58.4 continues to point to growth. The rates demonstrate a return to seasonal patterns, with strong demand for warehousing and transportation services.

Colleen Francis emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions during the sales process to enhance proposal quality and increase closing ratios. By gathering comprehensive and relevant information upfront, sales professionals can improve the quality of their proposals, leading to more successful business outcomes

Organizational culture can significantly reduce the need for managerial oversight by empowering employees to act autonomously, according to Glenn Carroll of Stanford University. At a recent Charter virtual event, experts discussed strategies for effective culture change, emphasizing the role of "activators" -- employees who lead discussions and feedback sessions to foster engagement and leadership development.

US private payrolls increased by 146,000 jobs in November, according to ADP's employment report. The moderate job growth follows a downward revision of October's figures to 184,000. Despite moderate growth, job acceleration is anticipated due to recovery from hurricanes and strikes.

Join us in Washington, D.C., January 27-29 for NAW's Executive Summit, bringing together the best and brightest leaders from the wholesale distribution industry. Learn more here.

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