Many distributors rely on legacy demand forecasting methods, such as spreadsheets and simple statistical models, which often lead to inefficiencies and increased costs, writes Dush Ramachandran of Blue Ridge Global. Ramachandran notes that these static models fail to account for real-time external factors such as economic shifts and competitor actions.

Winsupply, a distributor of plumbing, HVACR and industrial PVF, has acquired Industrial Sales, a Kansas-based supplier of drainage pipes and fittings for residential and commercial contractors. This marks Winsupply's first acquisition of 2025. Established in 1973, Industrial Sales also provides PVC pipes, water and sewer systems, and gas distribution accessories.

President Donald Trump announced that a 10% tariff will be the minimum on imports from countries seeking trade agreements with the US, with tariffs potentially higher for countries with significant trade surpluses. While discussing a new trade agreement with the UK, Trump noted that UK imports will be subject to the 10% baseline because "they made a good deal" and have "always treated us with great respect."

Amazon has introduced Vulcan, a warehouse robot with a sense of touch, capable of handling 75% of items at a Spokane, Wash., warehouse using an AI-powered sensor. Vulcan operates for 20 hours daily and matches human speed, but Amazon says it won't replace workers and instead aims to create higher-skilled jobs related to robot maintenance and operation.

The days of inventory on hand has increased 228% between February and April as companies stockpile goods to mitigate the effect of tariffs and buffer against possible supply disruptions and financial impact, according to data from Deposco. This surge, particularly in consumer electronics, apparel and home goods, has created a nationwide capacity challenge, with warehousing space rapidly filling.

B2B marketers are prioritizing audience targeting, performance measurement and influencer identification to enhance influencer strategies this year, according to a survey from TopRank Marketing and Ascend2. Social posts and in-person events are cited as the most effective content types, while major challenges include finding and connecting with the right influencers and measuring results.

Leaders need to speak up to address tough topics with a balanced approach, writes Jerry Colonna, CEO of Reboot, who shares an experience on a panel where people discussed the often-taboo topic of the US political climate. "The willingness to say something set the tone for a comfortable conversation, which led to bigger and better thoughts about leadership, business, purpose and togetherness," Colonna writes.

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