MDM's 2026 Top Distributors List is out, ranking more than 220 North American distributors across 20 product categories based on 2025 fiscal revenue. The list highlights the industry's fragmentation and diversity, with companies like Grainger, Ferguson and Wesco International appearing in multiple categories. The list is available for download, and MDM will host a June 25 webinar to discuss the results.

US business inventories increased by 0.5% in April, following a 1% rise in March, according to the Commerce Department. The steady increase, in line with economists' expectations, marks a 2.7% year-over-year gain. Wholesale inventories increased 0.6%, while retail and manufacturing inventories grew by 0.7% and 0.3%, respectively. Business sales rose by 1.2% in April, with the inventories-to-sales ratio dipping to 1.31.

Front Line Safety is opening a new 113,000-square-foot distribution center in Kansas City, Mo., marking a significant expansion for the company. The $1.7 million investment will create 21 jobs, and the distribution center is expected to strengthen the company's ability to serve Midwest and North American customers, leveraging Kansas City's central location and robust infrastructure. The new facility is set to be operational in July.

Little Rock, Ark.-based Moon Distributors has agreed to acquire Republic National Distributing Co.'s Arkansas operations as RNDC continues to unload portions of its business amid operational changes. Subject to regulatory approval, the deal will see both companies operate independently until closure. "As we move through the transition process, our priority remains supporting our associates and maintaining continuity for the partners we serve," said RNDC President and CEO Marc Sachs.

AI presents opportunities for supply chain management, but it is important to use the right tools and workflows to make faster decisions, writes ORI President James Barlow, who notes that companies often face insight overload, which can delay decision-making, and suggests that the value of insights lies in their ability to facilitate better and faster decisions. Barlow highlights the importance of moving from reactive to proactive planning, continuous alignment and using AI for decision support.

Global air cargo spot rates increased 41% in May to $3.40 per kilogram, driven by disruptions related to the Iran war, fuel volatility and service interruptions, but rates are expected to stabilize, according to a Xeneta report. Long-term rates peaked in April and have since declined, suggesting a potential cooling of prices with the return of Middle East carrier capacity and the typical summer slack season. However, specific trade flows, such as those related to data centers and semiconductors, continue to experience elevated rates.

A Boston Consulting Group survey finds that 32% of chief marketing officers have become leaders in agentic marketing, using AI for workflow automation, content creation and insights, but 42% remain in the pilot phase and 26% have not yet fully transformed their businesses. Those CMOs who have integrated also are reimagining traditional marketing roles, shifting teams away from channel-specific silos toward broader, cross-channel roles and more seamless execution, says BCG's Mark Abraham.

As AI and other factors disrupt the workplace, rule-breaking is increasing, and Michael Gill, an associate professor at the University of Oxford Said Business School, says his research shows people break rules for several reasons, including self-interest, as a way to help others, as a reaction to pressure or because the rule breaker feels it's for a higher purpose. Instead of jumping right to punishment, Gill recommends asking why the rules were broken, examining whether the rules are preventing your teams from doing good things for the company and educating teams on the rules deemed necessary.

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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SmartBrief will not publish on Friday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth.