Fifteen industry groups representing most sectors of the domestic economy have filed a joint amici curiae brief challenging the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) Hours of Service Final Rules for commercial truck drivers. They allege that portions of the rule will slow productivity, hurt jobs and have a negative impact on agriculture, manufacturers, retail supply chains and distribution operations.

Wayne McDonnell, director of pharma and life sciences advisory with PricewaterhouseCoopers, talks about the core fundamentals of supply-chain capabilities today, as well as PwC's latest "Pharma 2020" report.

Manufacturing in July expanded at its slowest pace since late 2010, hobbled by weak overseas demand for American goods, though a rise in domestic orders helped cushion the blow.