The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors has obtained a preliminary injunction to block enforcement of Oregon's Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act, also known as the Extended Producer Responsibility Act. The US District Court for the District of Oregon found that the law could violate the Constitution's Due Process and Dormant Commerce clauses.

Modern Distribution Management has unveiled a new logo as part of its ongoing integration with the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, which acquired MDM in 2024. The logo update symbolizes the unification of the two organizations, enhancing MDM's resources for industry research and reporting while maintaining editorial independence.

IEWC has acquired Simcona, a Rochester, N.Y.-based supplier of wire, cable and electronic components, in a move aimed at strengthening its OEM and controls business units. The acquisition brings Simcona's wire and cable distribution and control panel manufacturing operations under IEWC's umbrella, with both of Simcona's Rochester locations remaining operational.

AI in procurement is shifting from pilot projects to enterprise-wide applications, particularly in supply chain and procurement functions, according to Inverto. North American companies are using AI to manage costs, risk and innovation amid challenges such as supply volatility, inflation and geopolitical uncertainty.

The US truck freight market saw modest improvement in Q4, with shipment volumes rising 1.5% and shipper spending jumping 4.6%, according to the US Bank Freight Payment Index. However, national shipment volumes fell 4.9% year over year, marking the 15th consecutive quarter of decline. Shipper spending rose 5.2% year over year, the first increase in three years, driven by tightening capacity as fleets exit and carriers reduce their rosters.

B2B buyers have become less trusting of prospecting, according to a survey by Sopro. The survey found that 61% believe buyers are more skeptical, 33% say buyers expect more personalization and information, and 31% note that buyers are further along in the research process before interacting with sales. The survey also reveals that 34% of sales respondents say deals involve more decision-makers, and 44% face longer decision timelines.

AI has the potential to unlock nearly $30 billion in productivity gains and media investment, but only if marketers address key measurement challenges first, writes Angelina Eng of the Interactive Advertising Bureau. Most marketers rely on last-touch attribution and inconsistent data, leading to suboptimal channel investment. The IAB's Project Eidos will create standardized taxonomies and a unified measurement framework to enhance AI's effectiveness.

Organizations' adoption of AI can inadvertently lead to new exposures, such as replication of bias, data destruction, "hallucinations" and regulatory risk, potentially affecting multiple lines of insurance, Lockton Re and Armilla AI say in a report. "The risks and long-term implications associated with AI are still being studied, but there is limited visibility so far" due to the technology's emerging nature, the report says.

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