President Donald Trump has delayed tariffs on Mexico and Canada, originally set to begin today, after reaching agreements with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to increase border security and combat drug trafficking. The tariffs on China, however, are still set to take effect.

Tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China would increase costs for the roofing industry for materials such as steel and aluminum. Owens Corning, GAF and Carlisle could see higher production costs, while distributors such as SRS, Beacon and ABC Supply might need to adjust supply chains and pricing.

Specialty building materials distributor US LBM has acquired Tennessee-based Walker Lumber & Supply, a specialty lumber and hardware distributor, in a deal that strengthens US LBM's presence in the Southeast. Walker Lumber serves residential and commercial builders across central Tennessee, and owners Ray Hayles and Scott McMillan will continue to manage daily operations.

The US suspension of the de minimis exemption for goods under $800 from Canada, Mexico and China is expected to affect airfreight demand and rates significantly. Previously, 88% of these shipments arrived by air, but with new entry charges and tariffs, costs will rise, potentially shifting importers to sea freight and increasing demand for US warehousing.

Supply chain executives in 2024 faced challenges such as port strikes and hurricanes, but companies that embraced digital transformation, transparency and sustainability thrived. The importance of accurate data for AI, end-to-end visibility and sustainable practices were key lessons. As 2025 begins, executives should focus on these trends to enhance efficiency and resilience.

SEO is crucial for B2B businesses as it significantly enhances online visibility and brand credibility. With 71% of B2B researchers starting their search with generic queries, SEO becomes indispensable for attracting and converting leads. Implementing a robust SEO strategy can help businesses stand out in search results, thereby increasing their chances of generating more sales.

AI is poised to revolutionize marketing by enhancing customer engagement and team collaboration, writes Rapp's Ed Freed. To take advantage of it, marketers can improve their processes and remove silos across teams and channels by, for example, mapping workflows to remove overlaps, start with a pilot project rather than a complete overhaul and use AI to handle mundane tasks to "liberate your best minds," Freed writes.

It was the seemingly endless repetition of the day that helped Bill Murray's character in the movie "Groundhog Day" finally discover the positive changes he needed to make to escape the loop, writes author and business advisor John Rossman, who believes leaders should become the "Chief Repeating Officer" banging "the communications drum again and again" for teams to internalize core messages. To make the message sink in, it should be compelling, limited to topics of high significance and focused on solutions instead of complaints, Rossman advises.

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