The US-China trade truce came as the GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index started to show significant tariff impacts on North American and Asian manufacturing. April data showed a sharp drop in purchasing activity in Asia and aggressive stockpiling in North America that led to a steep upturn in supply chain volatility that could continue. "As [firms] maneuver to de-risk and limit exposure to China, the rapidly changing landscape and uncertainty is clouding manufacturers' outlook and dampening their capital investment and supply chain," said John Piatek, GEP's vice president of consulting.

Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits has opened a 375,000-square-foot distribution center in Geismar, La., to support long-term regional growth. The facility features advanced technology for efficient order fulfillment and sustainability initiatives, including energy-efficient climate control and LED lighting. "By increasing capacity and optimizing technology, we are strengthening our ability to serve customers with greater efficiency, ensuring they have access to the products they need when they need them," said Jason Witty, vice president of operations at Southern Glazer's.

QXO has completed its $11 billion acquisition of Beacon, a deal that has captivated the building materials sector. In the latest MDM Podcast, Craig Webb of Webb Analytics discusses why QXO was so persistent in pursuing Beacon and what the acquisition means for the industry. Webb also highlights his recently released rankings of building materials distributors and lumber dealers.

Supply chain transparency is essential as businesses aim to meet regulatory requirements and consumer demands for ethical practices. Companies are increasingly adopting digital product passports to provide detailed information about product life cycles and comply with regulations like the EU's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. Companies face challenges in building DPPs due to large, complex supply chains and a lack of digitization, but unified source-to-pay platforms can mitigate these difficulties.

Amazon and FedEx have signed a multi-year deal for FedEx to deliver some Amazon packages, including large items, to customers' doors. The agreement comes after Amazon reduced its volume with UPS, which remains a partner along with the US Postal Service, in favor of better costs. FedEx's capability to handle all ZIP codes in the US and manage heavy, hard-to-handle packages was a key factor in the deal.

Jamie Barrett of Barrett Hofherr highlights the growing trend of B2B companies using creative storytelling to build brand awareness, citing examples such as Tubi and Squarespace. Barrett emphasizes the importance of engaging content, noting that 64% of B2B buyers are millennials or Generation Z who expect consumer-level experiences.

Delayed payments from businesses strain B2B supply chains, particularly affecting small and midsize vendors who face higher borrowing costs and cash flow disruptions. This strain can push SMBs toward insolvency or force them into severe cost-cutting measures. However, they can leverage tools such as virtual cards and AI-driven cash flow forecasting, which are enabling companies to manage liquidity more effectively.

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