In the inaugural episode of the "Distributors Deliver" podcast, Eric Hoplin, CEO of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, and Brian Wild, chief of government relations, discuss the fast-paced and tumultuous political landscape of 2025 and its impact on the distribution industry. Wild highlights the benefits of the Trump administration's regulatory rollback and the passage of permanent tax reform as significant wins for businesses, while tariffs remain a major challenge. Looking ahead to 2026, Wild anticipates a continued rapid pace in Washington and emphasizes the importance of workforce issues and AI policy.

PAK Quality Foods is acquiring the assets of Vernon Transportation and AmTex HR Foods, which operate under the H&R Foods brand. H&R Foods operates in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas, offering a variety of products, including meat, dry goods, produce and dairy. The acquisition includes both the transportation and foodservice operations, with the leadership team of H&R Foods set to remain in place.

Fastenal has announced that CEO Dan Florness will step down from his leadership role on July 16, 2026, after serving as chief executive since 2015 and spending three decades with the company. President and Chief Sales Officer Jeff Watts will succeed Florness as CEO. Florness plans to stay on as a strategic advisor through early 2028 to ensure a smooth transition. Watts will also fill Florness's seat on the board of directors.

The challenges posed by geopolitical volatility, economic fluctuations and stringent regulatory requirements means companies must implement smarter sourcing strategies, writes Pushkar Mukewar, co-founder and CEO of Drip Capital. Mukewar argues that traditional sourcing models that rely on single-source, low-cost suppliers are no longer viable, and advocates for leveraging technology to diversify supplier bases, explore nearshoring and friend-shoring, build strong supplier relationships and balance inventory models.

Verizon Business is collaborating with Kodiak AI to provide 5G telematics and internet of things solutions that form the backbone of Kodiak's autonomous trucking operations. The partnership is designed to provide reliable, low-latency links between Kodiak's vehicles and command centers, supporting functions such as real-time fleet management and remote assistance.

Content marketers overwhelmed by 2025's demands can reset their strategy in 2026 by adopting a more intentional approach. Ann Gynn advises cleaning up content libraries, updating personas, integrating AI thoughtfully, balancing content across the sales funnel and focusing on valuable channels. This proactive strategy can help marketers manage content overload and achieve better results.

High-performing leaders can benefit from regular reflection, which can enhance clarity, humility and conviction, writes Alaina Love, the CEO of Purpose Linked Consulting, who suggests reflecting on your impact, self-awareness, focus, decision-making, values, energy, resilience and legacy. "Reflection is not a luxury that high-performing leaders defer until the calendar softens. It is a deliberate act of leadership that is practiced precisely when the pressure is greatest," Love 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.

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