Core & Main has announced plans to acquire Pioneer Supply, a distributor specializing in water, wastewater and storm drainage products with locations in Oklahoma and Texas. This acquisition is expected to strengthen Core & Main's footprint in these states and broaden its customer reach across various end-markets. The move follows Core & Main's recent acquisition of Canada Waterworks.

DXP Enterprises has acquired Premierflow and Mid Atlantic Storage Systems, adding more than $110 million in revenue and 185 employees. Premierflow, based in Tulsa, Okla., specializes in integrated fluid handling pump systems for industries such as fire protection and water supply, while Ohio's Mid Atlantic focuses on liquid storage tank solutions. The acquisitions are part of DXP's strategy to expand into varied end markets and enhance its Innovative Pumping Solutions segment.

US factory orders fell 1.3% in October, primarily due to a sharp drop in the aircraft sector. The decline followed a modest 0.2% increase in September and was slightly steeper than economists had predicted. However, orders increased 3.3% on an annual basis. The report notes that manufacturing continues to face pressure from ongoing tariffs.

Generative AI is transforming how B2B buyers discover and shortlist vendors, with two-thirds of buyers now using AI tools more than or as much as traditional search engines. However, traditional factors such as the quality of responses to requests for proposals and industry expertise remain decisive, according to a survey by Responsive. Buyers are increasingly using AI tools for market research, creating vendor questionnaires and evaluating shortlists, but most decisions are still based on the strength of RFP responses and a vendor's understanding of industry context.

Inviol, a New Zealand technology startup, has introduced an AI-powered software that transforms CCTV systems into live safety tools for fresh produce packhouses. The software provides real-time risk identification, helping to prevent accidents involving forklifts, trucks and manual handling. Founder Tane van der Boon emphasizes the importance of proactive safety measures, particularly during peak seasons when temporary workers are more prevalent.

Forty-seven percent of B2B marketers intend to boost thought leadership content based on original research and data this year, according to a study by TopRank Marketing and Ascend2. The report emphasizes that customer feedback, CRM data and marketing trend analysis are the primary sources for content topics, and marketers believe that incorporating more video content, live and virtual events, and interactive experiences would enhance the impact of their thought leadership.

Recent studies from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and Northwestern University indicate that tariffs have not led to significant inflation, contrary to widespread expectations. The studies suggest that tariffs have historically slowed price growth or only slightly increased inflation, primarily because they reduce consumer and business demand. However, the studies also note that tariffs tend to hurt the economy overall, with rising unemployment and economic uncertainty.

Employees are increasingly eager to shape their own AI tools, with surveys showing strong demand for the autonomy to build custom AI copilots that fit their workflows, writes Gleb Tsipursky, the CEO of Disaster Avoidance Experts, who notes that this bottom-up push for AI empowerment helps accelerate adoption, boosts productivity and allows staff to tailor solutions to their specific roles. By supporting employee-driven development, organizations can transform flexibility from a concession into a competitive advantage, ensuring that teams are equipped to work effectively from anywhere, Tsipursky notes.

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