Ferguson has sold its Wolseley UK plumbing and heating distribution business to private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice for about $378 million. CD&R also owns the White Cap business, formerly of HD Supply.

DXP Enterprises announced separate deals to purchase Total Equipment, APO Pumps & Compressors/Corporate Equipment Co., and Pumping Solutions. Terms were not disclosed.

Cybersecurity exercises "can provide verification that your defensive strategy is effective or highlight weaknesses that require immediate attention," writes Steve Durbin, CEO of the Information Security Forum. Durbin lists 10 benefits to be gained, including increased awareness of potential threats.

The rise in e-commerce and smaller orders is driving the advancement of warehouse technologies, according to industry experts. Autonomous mobile robots with sensors that can identify and correct problems will likely be used more widely this year, while artificial intelligence will help streamline warehouse processes and allow for smarter, connected distribution.

Business-to-business marketers should follow workplace trends this year to adjust messaging for whether their target prospects are returning to offices or following hybrid models, advises Norman Guadagno, chief marketing officer at Acoustic. Guadagno also points to the opportunities available for B2B marketers to shape virtual events and predicts the "B2B market could ignite unlike anything we have seen in a decade or more."

Thought leadership content, the prioritization of customer experience and virtual events are some of the trends from 2020 that business-to-business marketers should continue to focus on in the coming year, Patricia Duchene writes. Duchene also explores key 2021 trends, including developing digital communities and using social media livestreams for product launches, interacting with audiences and showcasing employee ambassadors.

More than 1,200 people shared with Mark Manson what they've learned during the pandemic, including what they miss and what they don't, how they deal with fear and how they discovered their resiliency. "I feel as though many people forgot this year that freedom mostly does not reside outside of ourselves, but rather it resides within our own minds," he writes.

Making financial literacy part of an employer's benefit offerings can help ease employee stress. Harry Dalessio of Prudential Retirement says effective plan design, a lifelong income stream and a focus on financial wellness are steps to success.

Old school distribution is about stocking inventory, taking orders and serving demand. New school distribution is about innovating through customer services and working side-by-side with customers in the real world. The future of distribution is about solving problems in your customer's business -- often before your customer even knows a problem exists. Innovate to Dominate provides breakthrough ideas, lessons from leading distributors who are innovating and inspiration to help you lead your customers into the future and sustain your competitive advantage.

COVID-19 has caused unprecedented uncertainty in the US economy. Companies that are able to utilize internal and external data and business intelligence are able to mitigate risk, understand trends, and analyze opportunities. Leverage your data and BI to make sure you can navigate the current tumultuous market, by joining this webinar from NAW Trusted Partner Creditsafe.

After constant virtual conference calls in 2020, "Zoom fatigue" is real. That's why we've designed a highly interactive virtual event that will capture your attention from start to finish. Every moment of the NAW 2021 Digital Summit will be aimed at helping you lead through a time of transition. Hear from some of distribution's leading CEOs, network with your peers and discuss critical issues, get the 2021-22 economic forecast and learn what the Biden agenda will mean for distribution, plus much more. Special 5- and 10-pack registrations are available so bring your team!