Tariffs & Real Estate: How Supply Chain Shocks Reshape the Market With Kristian O’Meara – RFP 61
In the latest episode of The Real Finds Podcast, host and commercial real estate agent Gordon Lamphere sits down with global supply chain expert Kristian O’Meara (“KO”), Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at JAGGAER, to explore how geopolitical upheaval is redrawing the map for procurement—and in turn, for commercial real estate.
From the lingering effects of the U.S.-China tariffs to the accelerating pace of nearshoring, this conversation cuts through the noise to explain how businesses are reengineering their supply chains and real estate footprints.
The Tariff Tipping Point: Real Estate as a Risk Mitigation Tool
One of the most eye-opening insights from KO is how the Trump-era tariffs did more than raise costs—they exposed deep structural vulnerabilities in global supply chains. Companies that relied heavily on single-source suppliers in Asia found themselves scrambling for alternatives. But it wasn’t just a sourcing problem…it was a location problem.
As KO explains, the demand for domestic industrial space surged as businesses sought warehousing and logistics facilities closer to customers and ports. For a commercial real estate agent, that meant working with occupiers who weren’t just looking for square footage—they were looking for strategic risk reduction.
This shift translated into increased absorption rates, declining vacancy, and fierce competition for quality space in markets like the Midwest and the Southeast. Suddenly, industrial real estate wasn’t just a backend decision but a boardroom-level concern.
Resilience Over Efficiency: A New Playbook
The old mantra of “just in time” is being replaced by “just in case.” But resilience doesn’t simply mean buying extra inventory or spreading suppliers across multiple continents. According to KO, it’s about creating visibility—real-time, actionable data that empowers procurement leaders to pivot quickly.
Platforms like JAGGAER are helping organizations layer AI and analytics into their sourcing strategies, but none of that matters if you can’t execute physically. That’s where commercial real estate—especially industrial space—steps into a starring role.
Logistics-ready properties with proximity to intermodal hubs, ports, and power infrastructure are now viewed as mission-critical assets. The modern warehouse is as much a data-driven command center as it is a place to store goods.
The Nearshoring Surge: From Buzzword to Blueprint
“Nearshoring isn’t coming—it’s here,” says KO.
This megatrend is playing out in real time, with manufacturers and distributors rerouting operations from Asia to Mexico, the U.S. Southeast, and inland logistics hubs like Chicago. As this structural realignment takes hold, the role of commercial real estate is expanding from support function to strategic linchpin.
Commercial real estate agents are now guiding clients through questions that used to live in the CFO or COO’s office:
Where can we shorten delivery timelines?
How do we reduce exposure to foreign policy swings?
What office space do we need to support a hybrid procurement and operations team?
The answers often lead to the same conclusion: Invest in proximity, flexibility, and infrastructure—and that means securing the right industrial space now, before the next disruption hits.
Real Estate Is Supply Chain Infrastructure
Perhaps the most important takeaway from this episode is the realization that commercial property—especially warehouse and logistics facilities—is no longer a static asset. It’s a dynamic part of the supply chain.
“Supply chain executives aren’t just sourcing product anymore—they’re sourcing certainty,” KO explains. And certainty, in this case, often begins with physical location.
Energy access, broadband reliability, highway connectivity, and even ESG compliance requirements now influence where and how companies invest in real estate. For businesses undergoing digital transformation, real estate decisions are increasingly tied to long-term competitive advantage.
Why This Matters for Occupiers, Sellers, and Investors
Whether you’re a tenant evaluating your logistics footprint, a seller preparing to list a warehouse, or a commercial real estate investor seeking stable, long-term returns, the ground is shifting fast—and in your favor, if you know how to respond.
📥 Ready to adapt your strategy?
Occupiers: Download our Industrial Space Occupiers Action Plan
Investors: Access the Commercial Real Estate Investor Action Plan
Or explore market trends at vvco.com/industrial-space-in-chicago-buy-sell-lease
Final Thoughts
In an age where geopolitical uncertainty and supply chain complexity go hand in hand, success is no longer just about having the best product or price. It’s about resilience—and increasingly, that resilience starts with smart real estate decisions.
As KO and Gordon unpack in this episode, the convergence of procurement, technology, and logistics is elevating the role of commercial real estate across industries. For any business navigating this complexity, working with a knowledgeable commercial real estate agent isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.
🎧 Listen to the full conversation on The Real Finds Podcast.
Discover why location strategy has become a C-suite priority and how the industrial space you choose today will shape your business performance tomorrow.
