Buyer Weekly Brief: June 17–23, 2025
This past week brought some significant developments for buyers, from new tariffs impacting household goods to major industry mergers. We also saw continued growth in key logistics hubs and ongoing shifts in global sourcing strategies. It’s a dynamic time, and staying informed is more important than ever.
-
Nippon Steel Finalizes US Steel Takeover
The nearly $15 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel by Japan’s Nippon Steel has officially been completed this week. This major deal, which faced considerable national security and political review, includes a “golden share” provision that gives the U.S. government a say in key decisions, such as plant closures and job transfers. Nippon Steel has committed $11 billion to upgrade U.S. Steel facilities, aiming to bring advanced technology and strengthen domestic production.
Published: June 20, 2025
Nippon finalizes $14B US Steel takeover | Supply Chain Dive -
Port Houston Shows Continued Growth Amidst Trade Shifts
Port Houston reported another strong month in May, with container volumes up 5% year-over-year and overall tonnage increasing by 2% year-to-date. This growth is supported by operational improvements like the Express Pass program for truck gate efficiency and the new cloud-based Execution and Visibility Platform (EVP) providing real-time data. Consistent growth in a major U.S. port suggests underlying strength in specific trade lanes and domestic demand, offering a nuanced perspective amidst broader economic uncertainties.
Published: June 23, 2025
https://www.ajot.com/news/port-houstons-steady-growth-continues-in-may -
Geopolitical Tensions Reroute Global Shipping
Ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are directly impacting global shipping, with reports this week of tankers making U-turns and altering routes around the Strait of Hormuz. The American Journal of Transportation noted that Japanese ships are minimizing time in the Gulf, and airlines are weighing cancellations due to U.S. strikes in Iran. This situation highlights the persistent vulnerability of key shipping lanes to international conflicts, demanding constant vigilance from buyers managing global supply chains.
Published: June 23, 2025
https://www.ajot.com/news/japanese-ships-transiting-strait-of-hormuz-to-minimise-time-in-gulf
Tools & Tips
-
Embracing AI-Powered Procurement Platforms
The rise of AI in procurement continues to be a key topic, with platforms like Suplari’s AI Procurement Agent gaining traction. These tools are designed to interpret requests, evaluate supplier performance, monitor spend, and even create category plans, helping buyers work smarter and faster. Exploring such solutions can significantly enhance efficiency and strategic decision-making.
Top 10 AI Procurement Tools in 2025 – Use Cases, Examples & Key Results - SUPLARI -
New Supply Chain Intelligence Offering from PTC
PTC recently announced the release of its Arena® product lifecycle management (PLM) and quality management system (QMS) solution’s new Supply Chain Intelligence (SCI) offering. This new tool aims to provide enhanced insights for managing supply chain operations.
https://ptc.com/news/2025/ptc-launches-arena-supply-chain-intelligence
Fun Fact
Did you know that procurement, often seen as simply “buying things,” actually accounts for about 70% of a typical business’s total revenue being invested back into the supply chain? This highlights just how crucial the procurement function is in managing a company’s financial outflow and maximizing value from every dollar spent.
Everything you need to know about procurement (but didn’t ask) | Proxima
We’d love to hear from you! Have you participated in any procurement events or utilized new buying tools recently? Share your experiences or insights with us—we’re featuring selected community voices in next week’s edition.