The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has placed on hold a decision by the US Court of International Trade that blocked most of President Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs. The Trump administration said it would pursue emergency relief at the US Supreme Court if the Federal Circuit did not pause the ruling by the Court of International Trade, which held that Trump overstepped his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

Through its subsidiary Monarch Electric, US Electrical Services has acquired Swift Electrical Supply, a New Jersey-based distributor of electrical products for customers, including builders and contractors. Swift operates four locations in New Jersey, and the acquisition will enhance US Electrical Services' market presence and reach across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

A Modern Distribution Management survey shows that 87% of distributors say their strategic plans are inadequate for changes over the next three to five years, especially in an environment marked by AI, automation and economic shifts. Distributors that integrate strategic foresight into their operations are four times more likely to generate new revenue, an approach that allows organizations to explore multiple plausible futures and stress-test current strategies, writes Kevin Reid-Morris, CEO of Readmore Ventures.

Machine learning algorithms can analyze historical and real-time data to predict demand and optimize operations. Traditionally used for planning, ML is proving that its most profound impacts may be in operational execution, such as warehouse orchestration, inventory allocation and order fulfillment sequencing. Supply chain organizations are now using the technology to improve labor efficiency and dock throughput.

Companies are focusing on the supply chain risks associated with cybersecurity, geopolitical uncertainty and supplier challenges, according to the WTW Global Supply Chain Risk Survey. To combat the challenges, survey respondents revealed they prefer incremental change over complete overhauls and believe cross-functional collaboration and securing supplier contracts are crucial to ensuring robust enterprise risk management.

Multichannel outreach is crucial for booking B2B sales meetings, according to memoryBlue's Spring 2025 Global Sales Engagement Benchmark Report. Phone calls account for 85% of meetings, while emails generate 8% and LinkedIn 7%. The report highlights the importance of personalization and understanding the roles of multiple stakeholders in purchase decisions.

Confidence among US CEOs dropped significantly in the second quarter, according to the Conference Board's CEO Confidence Index, which recorded its steepest quarterly decline since its inception in 1976. More than 80% of CEOs expect a recession in the next 12 to 18 months as companies grapple with uncertainties related to tariffs and global trade.

Midmarket companies are increasingly shifting from long-term investments to short-term strategies in response to tariffs, according to a report from PYMNTS Intelligence. The report found that 81% of goods companies are focusing on short-term operations, 25% are altering product designs and 14% have delayed or canceled product development.

Prioritize your organization's greatest asset — your people. NAW's premier education programs, such as the online Management Academy and the in-depth Distribution Leadership Program at THE Ohio State University, are designed to equip your high-potential employees with the skills and insights they need to lead and succeed. Ensure your rising stars are prepared to drive your business forward by investing in their growth today. Learn more about how NAW can help you develop the leaders of tomorrow.

Interested in membership with NAW? Reach out and let us know how we can help you.