Imperial Dade, a distributor of janitorial, packaging and food service supplies, has expanded its reach in Georgia with the acquisition of Athens Janitor Supply and Chittom Industries, which offers a range of janitorial supplies and services. "They have shown exceptional performance in their markets and are poised for further growth in a region that remains a very high priority for us," Imperial Dade Chairman Robert Tillis said.

Unionized dockworkers are voting this week on a six-year labor contract that is expected to be ratified and includes a 62% pay raise and protections against full automation. The deal, covering Gulf Coast and East Coast ports, aims to ensure stability through September 2030 and prevent disruptions like the three-day strike in October.

The US has proposed significant fees on Chinese-built ships and China-based vessel operators, potentially adding millions in costs for carriers at US ports. The charges are part of a broader strategy to counter China's perceived unfair trade practices in the maritime sector.

President Trump's announcement of a 25% tariff on imported steel and aluminum is expected to affect the food and beverage industry significantly as the increased tariffs could drive up production costs for canned goods. "The industry sources the majority of ingredients and inputs from US sources, however, specialty products like tin mill steel can only be sourced from the European Union, United Kingdom, Canada and other countries due to lack of domestic supply," said Tom Madrecki, vice president of supply chain resiliency at the Consumer Brands Association, in a statement.

General Mills has saved millions of dollars by integrating AI into logistics planning and supply chain operations, notably reducing transportation costs and enhancing customer service. AI has assessed over 5,000 daily shipments, saving more than $20 million since fiscal 2024, and real-time data in manufacturing is expected to cut waste by over $50 million this year.

B2B marketers are set to increase investments in social media advertising, artificial intelligence, video and podcasts, according to a Madison Logic survey conducted by The Harris Poll. CEO Keith Turco highlights the need for personalized and dynamic content, noting a shift towards platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Turco also emphasizes the importance of leveraging customer testimonials and influencers to resonate with millennial and Gen Z buyers.

The US economy is increasingly dependent on the spending habits of its wealthiest citizens, with the top 10% of earners now responsible for nearly 50% of all consumer spending, according to Moody's Analytics. Buoyed by gains in stocks and real estate, top earners have increased their spending by 12% over the past year, while middle and working-class spending has declined.

Autonomous AI agents can increase productivity to free your teams up to solve problems and innovate, but they also come with risks, including errors and compliance issues, writes Tom Barnett, a partner and chief data officer for Jackson Lewis. Start using AI agents by deploying them in clusters with high-performing employees working alongside them to monitor progress, tackle problems and provide feedback, writes Mahesh Raja, the chief growth officer at Ness Digital Engineering.

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