SupplyChainDigital

Manifest Vegas | John Kirkman, CBRE, on Real Estate in Supply Chain

John Kirkman of CBRE opened the Manifest Vegas session by emphasizing that a company’s real‑estate portfolio is the structural backbone of modern supply‑chain execution. He framed the discussion around how occupiers and investors must rethink location strategy in light of evolving logistics challenges and the growing importance of data‑rich network studies. Kirkman argued that while network studies are not new, enriching them with granular data—such as power demand forecasts and emerging data‑center footprints—creates a far more robust strategic model. He cautioned that AI and automation tools tend to be backward‑looking, relying on the parameters fed to them; therefore, human oversight remains essential to adjust those parameters as market conditions shift. A memorable quote from the talk was, “AI and automation look backwards; you need a human at the control to say this is my portfolio of risk and this is how I’ll manage the opportunity.” He also highlighted the need to anticipate megawatt requirements for facilities, ensuring that future power availability aligns with growth plans. The session served as a reunion for long‑standing industry contacts, underscoring the value of sustained relationships in tracking client evolution. For supply‑chain leaders, the takeaway is clear: integrate data‑driven network analyses, maintain active human governance over AI tools, and prioritize power infrastructure when selecting sites. Those who do so can mitigate risk, capture cost efficiencies, and position their real‑estate assets as competitive advantages in a volatile logistics landscape.