The producer price index rose 0.4% in January and 3.5% on a year-over-year basis, according to the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics. The core PPI measure, which strips out the food and energy categories, gained 0.3% for the month.

Motion, a distributor of MRO replacement parts, is acquiring the operating assets of California-based Thompson Industrial Supply. Thompson is a family-owned supplier of bearings, motors and industrial automation products that also has fabrication capabilities, including milling machines, lathes, and robotic welders. Motion President James Howe said the deal would bolster the company's leadership position and impact in Southern California. The deal is expected to close by the end of the month.

US container imports in January reached a record 2.49 million twenty-foot equivalent units, but port transit times at major US ports have not significantly increased, according to Descartes Systems Group. Descartes' Jackson Wood said the impact of new and potential tariffs likely contributed to higher US container imports, noting trade policy developments are increasing uncertainty and raising concerns about higher costs. "As trade tensions escalate, businesses and consumers alike may face the risk of higher prices and prolonged market volatility," Wood said.

Businesses faced major issues with supply chain sustainability and ethical sourcing during 2024, and now a new report from LRQA suggests there will be little let-up in the year ahead. The report highlights 8 key trends for 2025, suggesting ESG considerations and geopolitical factors will continue to weigh on supply chains, and highlighting the need for data-driven strategies to navigate these challenges.

FedEx is harnessing IoT and AI to revolutionize logistics, generating a petabyte of data daily to enhance customer service, managing director Chris Swearingen said in a keynote at IoT Evolution Expo 2025. FedEx Dataworks uses the data to boost efficiency and enable innovations such as autonomous vehicles, AI-enabled cameras and predictive algorithms that improve supply chain visibility and control.

Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT Search, Perplexity and Meta AI are transforming the B2B buying process, with 90% of buyers using them for research and decision-making, according to Forrester. A simulated buying journey shows ChatGPT Search excels in providing citation-backed insights and retaining context, although it could improve in the proof-of-concept stage.

Recently appointed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized overhauling environmental permitting, adopting emerging safety technologies, and granting states more autonomy as key priorities in federal highway legislation. His agenda aligns with the Trump administration's focus on streamlining regulations, accelerating project timelines and saving costs.

Performance-based sales compensation is gaining traction as companies adapt to changing economic conditions, according to a survey by Xactly. The study of 160 companies found that 62% view performance-based structures as a key driver for change, allowing firms to control costs while rewarding top performers. The trend includes hybrid models combining base salaries with incentives and emphasizing long-term growth through stock options and profit-sharing.

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In observance of Presidents Day, SmartBrief will be closed on Monday, Feb. 17.