
Unilever has topped Gartner’s annual Supply Chain Top 25 list for the third year running, according to Supply Chain Digital. The consumer products giant received strong scores for its supply chain brand, as well as a perfect 10 for corporate social responsibility.
Emerson Acquires
Emerson announced Thursday it had agreed to acquire Aventics, a supplier of smart pneumatics technologies that power machine and factory automation applications, Industrial Distribution reports. The $621 million deal helps Emerson expand into a growing $13 billion market, while also strengthening Emerson’s own capabilities in hybrid automation.
Crude Rising
The global oil benchmark hit $80 a barrel for the first time in 3 ½ years on reinstated U.S. sanctions against Iran, the Wall Street Journal reports. Brent crude settled Thursday up 2 cents at $79.30 a barrel, having earlier moved past $80, its highest level since November 2014.
Manufacturing Growth
And finally, an economic update: The Philadelphia Fed’s manufacturing index jumped to 34.4 in May from 23.3 in April, MarketWatch reports. New orders in particular boosted the reading, rising to 40.6 from 18.4.
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