President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law on Friday, delivering sweeping tax cuts and economic measures that Republicans say will boost US growth. The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors celebrated the bill's passage, calling it "a major victory" for businesses and workers. "This bill delivers real, lasting relief -- lower taxes, pro-growth policies, and critical protections for family-owned companies," said NAW President and CEO Eric Hoplin.

Texas-based PrimeSource Brands, which designs and distributes customizable railing systems, is acquiring Fortress Railing Products a Garland, Texas-based manufacturer specializing in customizable steel, aluminum, cable and glass railing systems. The deal is PrimeSource's ninth acquisition since 2020 and its first since December. The deal is expected to expand PrimeSource's presence in the outdoor living sector.

Maersk reports that current average effective US import tariffs are now running at 21% based on container-weighted rates. This marks a significant reduction from earlier in the year, when newly announced tariffs had driven rates to a peak of 54%.

Personalization has become crucial in business-to-business supply chains, driven by rising customer expectations for tailored experiences and seamless interactions, writes Saulo Spaolanse, senior vice president of customer experience for Schneider Electric. Companies must integrate supply chain processes into every customer touch point, segment supply chains to meet specific needs and use AI and predictive analytics to anticipate demand and optimize logistics, Spaolanse writes.

The Logistics Managers Index rose to 60.7 in June, signaling expanding inventory levels and strong growth in warehousing and transportation. This is the third time since July 2022 that the index has exceeded 60, reflecting heightened logistics activity as importers take advantage of a temporary pause on tariffs.

Marketers often blame digital media for declining creativity, but Andrew Tindall of System1 argues that the real issue is marketers' focus on short-term metrics like impressions and clicks. Tindall highlights research showing that broad targeting and emotional, consistent campaigns drive higher ROI. Effective creativity is "the ability to be distinctive, emotional, entertaining and, crucially, not dull. And then being able to iterate upon that again and again in an interesting and engaging way," Tindall writes.

Keep your message simple and aim for clarity to finesse communications like a golf pro aiming for a tricky shot, writes John Baldoni, an executive coach and leadership speaker. "You want to make what you say understandable to make it easier to comprehend, thereby increasing accessibility and ultimately making it more actionable," Baldoni writes.

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.