New orders for US manufactured goods rose 1.4% in August, following a 1.3% decline during the prior month, according to the Commerce Department. Orders were up 3.3% from the prior year. However, business spending on equipment was weaker than previously estimated, with orders for nondefense capital goods excluding aircraft rising only 0.4%.

Boise Cascade has agreed to acquire Holden Humphrey, a building materials distributor based in Chicopee, Mass., with $145 million in annual revenue. The deal, which is expected to be finalized by year's end, will expand Boise Cascade's product line and presence in the Northeast, particularly in siding, wood decking, and trim. The acquisition is part of Boise Cascade's ongoing growth strategy and will strengthen its relationships with key suppliers such as James Hardie, CertainTeed, and Henry.

The US trade deficit narrowed by 23.8% to $59.6 billion in August, according to the Commerce Department. Imports fell by 5.1% and exports edged upward. The trade gap contraction surpassed economists' expectations, but trade could still negatively affect economic growth for the third quarter.

Homebuilder sentiment saw a slight increase in November, rising one point to a reading of 38 on a National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo index. About two-thirds of respondents reported using sales incentives, and 41% reported price cuts in November. However, demand continues to be affected "as a softening labor market and stretched consumer finances are contributing to a difficult sales environment," says NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz.

PepsiCo is testing a unified distribution model in Texas by integrating snack and beverage warehousing to cut costs and boost productivity. The initiative is part of the company's One North America strategy, designed to increase margins and drive growth. After testing in Texas, PepsiCo plans to evaluate nationwide expansion.

Cargo theft in North America has surged, with incidents reaching 3,625 in 2024, a 27% increase from 2023, and losses exceeding $455 million. Thieves are using advanced technology and deception, making it crucial for trucking companies to adopt a multifaceted security approach. RXO's Jack Gerstner highlights the importance of layered security, real-time tracking, reliable partnerships and improved driver training and cybersecurity to combat this growing threat.

Reddit's increasing visibility in Google search results and AI partnerships make it a valuable platform for organic strategies. However, marketers must navigate Reddit's unique culture, which is wary of overt marketing, requiring authentic engagement and consistent monitoring.

B2B marketing is evolving rapidly with the rise of AI and changing buyer behaviors, presenting new challenges for marketers, Maria Greaves writes. To prove marketing's contribution to revenue, B2B marketers should focus on genuine pipeline influence, leverage AI to handle repetitive tasks and build a strong brand. Marketers should also adapt to buying groups, not just individual buyers, and provide valuable content to build trust before sales conversations, Greaves writes.

Small and midsize businesses are optimistic about 2026, with 74% of owners projecting revenue increases and 60% expecting growth in operations, according to a Bank of America survey. Meanwhile, about half of respondents said economies at all levels likely will see positive effects from lower inflation and more stable tariff policies, the survey found. However, most business owners report supply chain challenges and labor shortages, with just 1% of business owners planning layoffs and over 40% looking to hire.

Don't leave your team confused about who is doing what after a meeting ends, write Karin Hurt and David Dye, who recommend using the last five minutes of a meeting to clarify decisions and assign tasks, and then send an email afterward clearly outlining assignments, ownership and deadlines. "Don't leave ownership in the air. Document it, share it, and reference it next time," they write.

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