🗓 2025-06-16 – Weekly Buyer News & Trends: What You Missed!

What's News in Buying
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:toolbox: Weekly Buyer Brief: June 10–16, 2025

This week, the procurement and supply chain landscape saw significant developments, from major defense contract shifts and strategic acquisitions to critical insights from the latest logistics reports. Technology continues to drive efficiency, with new platforms and AI innovations shaping how buyers optimize operations and manage complex supply chains. Staying informed on these trends is crucial for navigating market volatility and ensuring strategic advantage in an ever-evolving global economy.

Weekly Buyer News & Trends

  1. :military_helmet: U.S. Army Halts M10 Booker Combat Vehicle Procurement
    The U.S. Army announced on June 11, 2025, its decision to cease the procurement of M10 Booker Combat Vehicles. This involves issuing a termination for convenience of the current low-rate initial production contract with General Dynamics Land Systems, effectively halting plans to move into full-rate production. This strategic pivot is a direct response to current world events and aligns with the broader objectives outlined in the Army Transformation Initiative. The Army intends to reallocate the remaining fiscal year 2025 funds to accelerate the fielding of other “war-winning capabilities,” anticipating significant savings within the next 18-24 months. For procurement professionals, this underscores the increasing need for agility and flexibility within long-term contracts, particularly in sectors subject to rapid geopolitical or strategic shifts.
    :date: Published: June 11, 2025
    :link: Army to cease procurement of M10 Booker Combat Vehicles | Article | The United States Army

  2. :money_with_wings: Eaton Agrees to Buy Defense Group Ultra PCS for $1.6 Billion
    Eaton Corp. announced on June 16, 2025, an agreement to acquire Ultra Precision Control Systems (Ultra PCS), a defense and aerospace systems company, from private equity firm Advent for $1.55 billion. This acquisition is poised to significantly boost Eaton’s portfolio in both military and civilian aircraft, encompassing critical products such as ejection systems and ice-protection gear for advanced fighter jets like the Lockheed Martin F-35. The transaction is expected to be accretive, driven by Ultra PCS’s strong growth trajectory and high-margin profile, with the deal projected to close in the first half of 2026. This major acquisition points to a broader trend of consolidation among key suppliers, which can lead to a reduction in available supplier options and impact negotiation leverage for buyers.
    :date: Published: June 16, 2025
    :link: https://www.ttnews.com/articles/eaton-buy-defense-ultra-pcs

  3. :briefcase: Borsight Inc. Awarded $2.18 Billion Air Force Avionics Contract
    Borsight Inc., an Ogden, Utah-based company, has secured a ceiling $2.18 billion firm-fixed-price, single-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract from the U.S. Air Force. Awarded on June 16, 2025, this substantial contract is dedicated to providing avionics replacement for the T-6A aircraft and its associated simulators. The work will be performed across multiple Air Force Bases, including Randolph, Laughlin, Vance, Columbus, and Sheppard, as well as Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, with completion anticipated by January 6, 2034. This significant award, which was a competitive acquisition attracting 12 offers, underscores the continued strategic investment in modernizing military aviation systems and highlights the importance of long-term strategic sourcing relationships.
    :date: Published: June 16, 2025
    :link: https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4218062/

  4. :chart_with_upwards_trend: CSCMP’s 2025 State of Logistics Report Highlights Rising Costs and Resilience Focus
    The 2025 CSCMP State of Logistics report, released on June 10, 2025, reveals that U.S. business logistics costs reached $2.58 trillion in 2024, holding steady at 8.8% of the GDP. The report characterizes the current environment as a “fog of global commerce” marked by rapid shifts and persistent uncertainty. Key findings include a near doubling of ocean port costs, with a 93% increase attributed to Asia-U.S. rate hikes, though some relief is anticipated. Airfreight experienced a significant surge of approximately 11% in 2024, largely driven by e-commerce giants, but its projected growth is expected to cool to around 5.8% in 2025. The report also highlights a stabilizing warehousing sector with increasing interest in automation and AI, and the central role of Third-Party Logistics (3PLs) in helping clients manage volatility.
    :date: Published: June 10, 2025
    :link: https://www.freightwaves.com/news/check-call-the-2025-supply-chain-roller-coaster

  5. :robot: AutoScheduler.AI Receives 2025 Top Supply Chain Projects Award
    AutoScheduler.AI, a prominent developer of Agentic AI Warehouse Orchestration solutions, was honored with the 2025 Top Supply Chain Projects Award by Supply & Demand Chain Executive and Food Logistics on June 16, 2025. This marks the fourth consecutive year the company has received this recognition, highlighting the consistent impact of its AI-based platform. The platform is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Labor Management Systems (LMS), and Yard Management Systems (YMS) to enhance throughput, reduce labor costs, and ensure customer service objectives are met. The award specifically recognized AutoScheduler.AI’s successful project with a Global CPG Leader, which resulted in significant increases in productivity and overall efficiencies through the automation of critical warehouse tasks.
    :date: Published: June 16, 2025
    :link: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/06/16/3099980/0/en/AutoScheduler-Receives-2025-Top-Supply-Chain-Projects-Award.html

:hammer_and_wrench: Tools & Tips

  • Sage Launches Supply Chain Intelligence Platform Sage has unveiled its new Sage Supply Chain Intelligence, a cloud solution specifically designed to provide small and midsize businesses (SMBs) with real-time first-mile visibility. This platform aims to cut delays by 35%, protect profit margins, and enable brands to scale operations without the need to replace their existing systems. This offers a practical and accessible tool for buyers in SMBs who are seeking enhanced operational control and improved supply chain performance.
    :link: https://www.sage.com/en-us/news/press-releases/2025/06/sage-supply-chain-intelligence-launches-to-cut-delays-and-boost-smb-operational-control/

  • Gartner’s 2025 Magic Quadrant Reports for WMS and TMS For procurement professionals and buyers evaluating or upgrading their logistics and warehousing systems, Gartner has recently released its much-anticipated 2025 Magic Quadrant™ for Transportation Management Systems (TMS) and Warehouse Management Systems (WMS). These comprehensive reports evaluate recognized vendors in the market, offering critical insights to help procurement professionals choose the right solutions for navigating today’s complex supply chain challenges.
    :link: Gartner research reveals the biggest supply chain tech trends of 2025 - Logistics Management

:bulb: Fun Fact

Did you know? The role of procurement extends far beyond merely purchasing goods and services. Research indicates that for an average business, the work done with its suppliers accounts for a remarkable 70% of its total revenue. This means that for every dollar a business generates, approximately 70 cents is reinvested back into its supply chain, underscoring procurement’s pivotal role in maximizing value, controlling costs, and ensuring the overall financial health and operational continuity of an organization.
:link: Everything you need to know about procurement (but didn’t ask) | Proxima

:ear: We’d love to hear from you!

Have you participated in any Buyer events or utilized new procurement tools recently? Share your experiences or insights with us—we’re featuring selected community voices in next week’s edition.