The recent Southwest Pacific Distributors Southern California annual awards and recognition dinner was at the Long Beach Marriott for an evening of networking and honoring industry greats.

The American Supply Association (ASA) has upgraded the Recruiter Toolbox, an online resource for members to enhance talent recruitment. This supports the Project Talent initiative to attract skilled workers to the PHCP and PVF industries while inviting member feedback for improvements.

Technology is a catalyst for change, reshaping our work lives through automation, advanced data analytics, and artificial intelligence. As industry leaders, we must embrace these changes to maintain our competitive edge and ensure the survival of our businesses.

ASA's Monthly Sales Report shows a 5% year-over-year sales decline for wholesalers in September 2024, with year-to-date sales down 0.4%. PHCP firms increased sales by 5% and blended PHCP & PVF firms by over 8%. Overall, respondents reported a nearly 5% median sales increase for September, despite an 8% drop from August.

According to the EPA, every year, the food waste Americans throw into the trash contributes to a staggering 18% of the total methane emissions created by landfills, harmful greenhouse gasses that are increasing the potential of global warming.

To optimize workflows, distributors should follow three key steps

Cyber security is a hot-button topic currently in the PHCP-PVF space.

Last week, the ASA Legislative Fly-in event convened PVF-PHCP industry leaders with elected officials on Capitol Hill. ASA-member wholesalers and suppliers had the opportunity for direct meetings with senators and representatives, advocating for the industry. They discussed critical issues and underscored the sector's role in supporting local economies.

ASA distributor members reported a -7 % year-over-year sales drop when comparing August 2023 to August 24.

At the ASA Innovation Summit in Rosemont, Illinois, industry experts discussed critical cybersecurity issues in a 90-minute panel led by Ian Heller. The session provided valuable insights for ASA members involved in distribution and supply.