Plumbing and industrial supplier Ferguson announced the acquisition of Moore Supply, an HVAC equipment and supplies distributor operating five locations in the Chicago area. The acquisition is expected to contribute to the company's overall sales growth and expand its presence in the Midwest. The deal was announced as part of Ferguson's quarterly earnings, which saw improvements in both profit and margins.

US industrial companies are planning significant investments in automation over the next three years, with 95% of firms intending to introduce new automation, according to RobCo's 2025 US Automation Index. Automation is a response to labor shortages, supply chain pressures and reshoring initiatives, with federal incentives cited as a major driver. Distributors such as Motion, Motion & Control Enterprises and Graybar are expanding their automation offerings to capitalize on this trend.

The US trade deficit shrank unexpectedly in September to $52.8 billion, reaching the lowest point in more than five years, according to the Commerce Department. Exports rose by 3%, driven by a 4.9% increase in goods exports, while imports increased marginally by 0.6%.

The Treasury Department is preparing to release tax guidance that specifically addresses how corporations can maximize their research and development tax breaks included in this year's tax law. The move aims to resolve concerns raised by companies and lobbyists regarding the interaction between generous R&D deductions and the 15% minimum tax established during the Biden administration. The guidance is expected to clarify how firms -- especially in tech, pharma and manufacturing -- can fully utilize retroactive R&D deductions without being hindered by the minimum tax, which had previously limited the value of these tax benefits.

Despite predictions of a slowdown, global trade has demonstrated notable resilience in the face of higher US tariffs. Traded goods and services are expected to reach $35 trillion in 2025, marking a 7% rise from the previous year, according to the United Nations. Growth is driven not just by higher prices, but also by increased volumes, particularly in sectors like AI-related technology imports to the US.

Order management systems are transforming from a cost center to a profit center as supply chain leaders leverage order data for business intelligence. By analyzing data on order frequency, product mix and margins, companies can uncover hidden profit leaks and growth opportunities. This shift enhances customer relationships by enabling proactive service and requires investment in technology and people to fully realize its potential.

The evolution of AI agents in B2B marketing in 2025 has shifted from simple automation to strategic partners capable of executing complex strategies, enhancing operational efficiency and personalization. Companies like 6sense, Salesloft and Oracle have adopted AI agents to automate tasks, analyze data and drive revenue growth. Although only about a third of B2B companies have scaled AI agents, those that have show significant advantages, says Outcomes Rocket CEO Saul Marquez.

LinkedIn has introduced ad formats to help B2B marketers enhance brand awareness, including Reserved Ads, which places a brand's advertising in the first ad slot on the home feed for maximum visibility. The platform also offers personalization options, such as tailoring copy to individual users' names, job titles and industries and is introducing flexible ad creation.

Organizations that view crises as inevitable and plan for them with decentralized decision-making structures can emerge largely unscathed, according to research by Prem Menghwar of the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. Menghwar's study details the approach of Indus Hospital in Pakistan to the COVID-19 crisis, when hospital leaders distributed authority to medical experts and frontline staff. This collaborative environment sped up key decisions and empowered new leaders, while senior executives took on operational roles and supported their teams.

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