Top stories from April
Workforce
Large employers look to ICHRAs to cut health costs
Inside-out leadership: Aligning values with action
6 mindsets that separate exceptional CEOs from competent ones
Legal risks of client, customer harassment for businesses
How focusing on action over perfection fuels success
NAW
Lowe's to boost pro offerings with $1.33B acquisition
White House finalizing tariff plans ahead of announcement
ITR Economics forecaster talks tariffs, potential 2025 growth
Trump unveils broad tariffs with 10% baseline, higher levies
Companies turn to FTZs to manage new tariff realities
NAM
Trump pauses tariffs for most partners, raises China duty
Trump finalizes tariff plan; details still unknown
Amid tariffs, JCB doubles size of new $500M Texas plant
Poll: Manufacturing CEOs at odds on tariff effects
Trump unveils broad tariffs with 10% baseline, higher levies
NEMA
Trump finalizes tariff plan; details still unknown
NEMA releases "A Reliable Grid for an Electric Future" study
Trump unveils broad tariffs with 10% baseline, higher levies
How will Trump's tariffs impact US clean energy?
Deloitte: US power sector requires $1.4T investment
Top trend
Workforce
Employees are looking for more from their benefits. Among their top asks is increased options from their health coverage; many want to see more resources for mental health. Employers want to provide this but cost increases make it a challenge. Experts project that average costs for health coverage will jump between 5.9% to 9% in 2025.
All eyes are on leaders right now, as organizations find their way through the tempestuous political and economic environment. Employees want to see their leaders stand behind their words. They want to see leaders treat workplace culture and employee support as seriously as they do financial performance.
NAM, NAW, NEMA
Tariffs, tariffs, tariffs. This is everything for manufacturers and distributors at the moment. Not only are there the cost concerns of tariffs, but broader economic concerns caused by tariffs, logistical concerns related to tariffs, efforts to avoid or reduce tariff impacts by finding new suppliers, etc.
Relevant vendors
Workforce
Vendors need to meet employers where they’re at. Systems and solutions should be aimed at giving deeper insights on teams, improving service to workers and enhancing talent recruitment. Also important is worker professional development.
NAM, NAW, NEMA
Anyone who can assist in navigating trade policy would be relevant, as would tech companies that are making work easier and more efficient. Companies that can help companies find qualified workers would also be relevant.
Additional trends
AI is relevant across industries right now. Workforce is a major concern for manufacturers and distributors. Both industries struggle to attract workers and are putting forth great effort to attract and retain workers, as well as leaning on technology (including AI) to step in and alleviate worker shortages in all areas of business, from the shop floor to finance and assisting sales staff. In distribution specifically, there’s also a major push toward value-added services (such as design or partial assembly) to set companies apart from their competitors.
