How AI can help metals companies navigate tariffs and geopolitical risks
Michael Walter and Hans Diehl - October 30
The metals industry is facing unprecedented disruption. Steel, aluminum, and specialty alloys flow through global supply chains that can be shaken overnight. A new tariff hits one day, a trade policy changes the next, and costs, timelines, and sourcing plans are immediately affected. Traditional planning tools can’t keep up with this pace of change.
“But what if AI could instantly model the tariff impact, simulate responses, and recommend the most resilient path forward?”
That’s exactly what the latest AI-powered scenario planning tools are designed to do.
Let AI do the heavy lifting and generate smart scenarios
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Companies across industries have been running tactical scenarios for years, already with great success. Today, AI takes this capability to unprecedented levels of interactivity and autonomy.
With modern AI tools, planners can now:
- Converse with the AI about the plan in natural language.
- Discuss possible scenarios and solutions that follow company-specific rules and guidelines.
- Execute planning workflows based on those conversations.
- Review and report on the results generated by the AI.
Of course, this AI-supported scenario development can be iterated as much as needed.
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“AI turns what once took days of modeling into a few guided conversations.”
A 25% tariff in the pipeline? Ask AI to evaluate your options
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Business executives in metals can now use this capability to address geopolitical risks more proactively. Imagine asking your AI assistant: “What’s the best way to respond to a 25% tariff on steel imports in this region?”
Within moments, the AI can then simulate and compare strategies like:
- Reducing market share in the affected region.
- Partnering with local manufacturers.
- Sharing or absorbing the costs between company and customer.
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From there, they can then ask to run a selection (or all) of these scenarios and even have the AI prepare a management report summarizing the costs, benefits, risks, and trade-offs of each option. What’s more, the AI explains its thought process and the decisions made at each step, leveraging reasoning models in the background. This allows executives to correct or refine their instructions as needed throughout the process, providing a transparent and adjustable foundation for strategic discussions.
“AI brings clarity and speed to complex strategic discussions.”
Shorter learning curve, sharper business focus
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Best of all, no deep technical expertise is needed to benefit from this AI-driven planning. A solid business understanding of the supply chain at hand is enough. With the heavy lifting and technicalities orchestrated in the background, the business itself comes into focus.
The result? A significantly shorter learning curve and broader access to experimenting with scenario planning across the organization.
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Putting the IQ in supply chain planning
If you’re wondering what it takes to get there, we have good news. The AI-driven capabilities described are already available today in OMP’s Unison Planning™ solution for tactical planning. What’s more, they can even model your supply chain for you quickly and efficiently.
Want to learn more about AI-powered planning intelligence? Check out UnisonIQ, OMP’s AI orchestration framework.
See AI in action
Interested to see how AI planning really works in metals? Meet us at the North American Stainless & Special Alloys Conference in Nashville or the OMP Conference in Miami.
Michael Walter
Senior Manager, Commercial Lead Metals
Biography
With 20-years’ experience in multiple Voestalpine companies – in positions ranging from product development to managing director – Michael now helps reinforce the connection between the Unison Planning for Metals solution and the realities of the metals industry.
Hans Diehl
Excellence Metals & Project Manager
Biography
Passionate about driving innovation and operational excellence, Hans leads cross-functional teams to deliver high-impact results. With expertise in metals and manufacturing, he thrives in VUCA environments, turning complexity into opportunity.
