The White House is planning to enact new tariffs on most imports by April 2, which has been dubbed "Liberation Day" by President Donald Trump. The tariffs, which could affect trillions of dollars in goods, have raised concerns among economists and some Republican lawmakers about potential economic fallout and logistical complexities.

Allie Copeland, chief transformation officer at ADI Global, will be leading a session at MDM's SHIFT Conference in Denver on "A Distributor's Digital Transformation Journey." Copeland, who has experience in industrial distribution and global supply chains, will emphasize technology stacks integration and improving operational agility, and will provide actionable insights on boosting growth and operational excellence.

The Food and Drug Administration extended the compliance deadline for the Food Traceability Rule, allowing businesses until June 2028 to meet requirements. Trade groups said the extension is critical for efficient implementation and to avoid increasing consumer prices, while some consumer groups warned the delay could hinder public awareness of food safety issues.

The Conference Board has warned of a potential economic slowdown, citing weaker manufacturing orders and declining consumer expectations. The Leading Economic Index indicates headwinds, and the board has revised its 2025 growth forecast to 2%, down from 2.8% in 2024. The downgrade follows similar expectations from the Federal Reserve, which pushed its 2025 growth forecast to 1.7% from 2.1%.

The Trump administration has announced a temporary pause on the 25% tariff for goods compliant with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The pause impacts a significant portion of imports from Mexico and Canada, and US companies are reassessing USMCA compliance and potentially adjusting their product mixes to reduce tariff burdens. 

Digital supply chain twins can address vulnerabilities by creating real-time virtual replicas of supply networks, write Emel Aktas of Cranfield University and Sharath Bobba of Clearpepper. They can enable quick responses to disruptions, optimize logistics and enhance decision-making by incorporating AI and IoT connectivity.

Sales success hinges on coachability, a key trait that distinguishes top performers because they are open to feedback and continuously seek improvement, says sales leader Colleen Francis. To assess coachability, look for candidates who have participated in competitive activities, indicating a willingness to be coached, Francis says.

Workforce turnover can be mitigated through detailed data analysis, according to Daniel Ash, CEO of Journeyfront, and Zach Peluso, director of talent acquisition at KeHE Distributors, who spoke at ProMat 2025. They explained that turnover costs can reach up to 200% of a worker's annual salary when intangibles are considered. KeHe reduced turnover by 50% by gathering detailed hiring data, reevaluating job descriptions and hiring from nontraditional backgrounds.

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