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Most leading suppliers to the trucking industry that reported earnings late last month said profits declined, or turned to losses, in the first three months of 2013.

Truck makers and suppliers say they will be among the industries hardest hit by a new federal rule that could cost U.S. businesses nearly $8 billion to search out and shed “conflict minerals” originating from central Africa.

It takes a significant effort on the part of suppliers and customers alike to ensure that strains on key supplier-customer relationships are avoided, and there is a common focus on the contributions that create value.