Dakota Supply Group has agreed to acquire Quality Pumps, a Madison, Wis.-based distributor of pumps, pipes and accessories. DSG President and CEO Paul Kennedy said Quality Pumps "has always taken great pride in providing exceptional service to their customers, which coupled with the strength of DSG, will provide an outstanding platform for their customers' and communities' continued success." Under the deal, which is expected to close in December, Quality Pumps will retain all its employees and transition to the Dakota brand.

The Home Depot's acquisition of GMS Inc. builds on its earlier purchase of SRS Distribution, strengthening its reach among professional contractors. Executives from both GMS and SRS highlighted that GMS will retain its brand identity while gaining access to The Home Depot's vast supplier network and capital. The acquisition is positioned as an acceleration of growth for GMS, providing new resources to expand and better serve contractor clients, rather than causing major disruption in the market.

Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits is addressing the beverage alcohol industry's data connectivity challenges by reorganizing its digital infrastructure. Chief Digital Officer Alan Wizemann highlights the company's efforts at the Consumer Goods Sales & Marketing Tech Summit, including the B2B platform Proof and an AI-native field sales companion. These initiatives leverage data from image recognition and POS systems to provide actionable insights, helping suppliers and retailers better understand consumer behavior and drive revenue.

The shift from search engine optimization to generative engine optimization is reshaping product discovery, writes David Bauders, CEO of SPARXiQ. GEO focuses on structured data feeds and real-time conversations through AI, and distributors and manufacturers must embrace GEO to stay visible and relevant as Gen Z buyers become a dominant demographic, Bauders writes.

Manufacturers are increasingly turning to supply chain localization in response to geopolitical conflicts and trade tariffs, with more than 50% of senior executives viewing it as a key strategic goal, according to a study by PwC and MIT. Industrial AI is crucial in this shift, aiding in product standardization, ESG compliance, remanufacturing and scenario planning.

The US truck freight market contracted 2.9% in the third quarter after a brief improvement in the second, even as shipper spending rose 2% for a second consecutive quarter, according to the U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index. Shipment volume is down 10.7% from Q3 2024, but shipper spending is down only 1.7%, showing that rates are rising as capacity tightens.

AI offers significant benefits for media and marketing, but it also poses environmental challenges. Lexi Semanskee of Exverus by Brainlabs offers five tips for sustainable AI use, including using traditional search engines, keeping queries concise and requesting emissions data from AI providers. "Advertisers who use AI as an 'extra set of eyes,' or an enhancer of their own creative abilities, rather than a replacement, will produce work that stands out and wins business against the sea of AI slop," Semanskee writes.

Trump's latest tariffs have so far had limited visible impact on growth or inflation, though economists caution that higher costs for businesses and consumers could build over time. The strong dollar, near a three-month high, reflects investor confidence in US resilience but also tighter financial conditions. Markets are watching upcoming economic data and Fed signals closely as they weigh the balance between trade protectionism and monetary policy.

Three Federal Reserve policymakers - Austan Goolsbee, Mary Daly, and Lisa Cook - have expressed uncertainty over whether the Fed will cut rates again in December. Goolsbee said he's more concerned about inflation, which remains above the 2% target, and noted limited data due to the government shutdown. Daly said she'll "keep an open mind," balancing inflation and job risks, while Cook emphasized her concern for employment but stressed that policy isn't on a predetermined path and each meeting remains "live."

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.