C&W Industrial Research: Jobs Growth and Absorption

• The significant decline in employment in 2009 resulted in over 106.3 msf of negative absorption for that year. Similarly, the industrial market has seen substantial improvement in terms of space absorbed as job growth turned positive.
• Since June 2009, the economy has added 2.5 million jobs. Consequently, the U.S. industrial sector has absorbed 70.6 msf of direct space since the beginning of 2010.
• Although unemployment remains elevated, the U.S. unemployment rate dropped to 8.6% in November, the lowest since March 2009. This recent improvement, although weak, will lead to a continuation of the steady recovery trend for the industrial sector.

New C&W Publication: Occupier Insight, Transformational Change

In the wake of continued economic uncertainty, many companies are still searching for ways to streamline their operations. At the same time, workforce demographics are affecting real estate management and investment strategies, and technological advancements are transforming how companies connect with employees and customers. These factors present unique challenges for commercial real estate executives (CREs), who are asked to deliver value to their organization.

In C&W's latest Business Briefing, "Occupier Insight Report: Transformational Change," they examine the transformational drivers of change within the corporate real estate industry and offer perspectives from other experts as we explore the steps CREs can take to better manage and lead their organizations in a rapidly changing environment.



To access a full version of the report, visit the C&W Knowledge Center by clicking here.
Please note you must sign in to view the report. If you are not currently a member, registration is free.

C&W Industrial Research Fact of the Week

• Industrial production trends, which measures output for the industrial sector of the economy (including manufacturing, mining, and utilities) coincide with overall demand for industrial space in the United States. In 2009, the significant decline of 11.5% for industrial production sent the markets reeling, resulting in over 125 msf of negative absorption. Similarly, the increase in industrial production over the past eight quarters has led to overall net absorption of over 38.0 msf in the first half of the year, already surpassing the 13.0 msf that was absorbed in all of 2010.
  
• Given the weak unemployment report that showed a decline in factory jobs and a steady manufacturing workweek, industrial production only rose 0.2% in August, after a strong 0.9% gain in July. Although Moodys/economy.com is projecting the positive trend to continue through the remainder of 2011, one has to be cautious about expecting output gains to continue given the overall weakness in the economy. With the weakening economic sentiment, expect slower, but not negative, real estate demand.

Source: C&W Research Services, Moody’s Analytics. NOTE: Only markets tracked by Cushman & Wakefield offices are included in this analysis. Industrial production increase of 3.23% compared year to date totals June 2011 vs. June 2010

Mid Year Industrial and Office Market Reports

The Cushman & Wakefield/Commercial Advisors Market reports are now available for download. Learn about the trends we are currently seeing in the Memphis commercial real estate market as well as an outlook for future growth.

You can visit our website at www.commadv.com/marketknowledge or dowload them by clicking the links below.

Click Here to download the Office Report.
Click Here to download the Industrial Report.

Commercial Advisors Adds Cushman to Name

News from the Airport Cities World Conference

Following the signing of the historic trade and business cooperative memorandum of understanding between Memphis and Paris on Monday, representatives from Guangzhou joined with the Paris and Memphis delegates Tuesday to discuss next steps in the formation of a global Aerotropolis alliance between the three regions of Memphis, Paris, and Guangzhou. Agreement was reached to continue to pursue tripartite agreement in the months ahead.

To read more about the Memphis/Paris agreement read here:
http://www.globalairportcities.com/memphis-and-paris-sign-historic-pact

Congrats Larry!

Congrats to Larry Jensen on being named Commercial Advisors' Top Producer for 2010. Here is a little video we produced in his honor:

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Pinnacle Awards: Conrad and Jenkins Take Home Top Awards

Congratulations to Kemp Conrad and Mark Jenkins on receiving one of MAAR's top awards for Commercial Real Estate. Kemp and Mark were both named as Pinnacle Elite brokers for 2010. We also want to congratulate our MAAR Pinnacle Producers: Jeb Fields, Matt Weathersby, Jacob Biddle, Phil Dagastino, Jr., Bentley Pembroke, Mark Jenkins, Dave Curran, Wyatt Aiken, Kemp Conrad and Larry Jensen. Way to go!
Read the MDN article here: http://www.memphisdailynews.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=57684

Commercial Advisors Launches New Land Division: Farmland Advisors

Commercial Advisors, LLC has launched Farmland Advisors, a new land brokerage division which will focus on agricultural, recreational and timberland properties in the Southeast. Farmland Advisors will be headed up by Commercial Advisors’ Senior Vice President, Jeff Barry. Barry, who joined the company in 2010, has more than 20 years experience in land brokerage. In the past year he has represented buyers of approximately $17 million in farmland, timberland, and hunting properties in the Southeast.

“Jeff Barry joined our team to combine his depth of experience in farm and recreational land sales and development with our local, regional, national, and international real estate business platform,” said Larry Jensen, President & CEO of Commercial Advisors. “I believe our joining together creates the best of class in the Mid-South region for buying and selling tracts of land for investment and/or outdoor and recreational uses.”

Over the past few years, market conditions have created a renewed demand for farmland, and according to Barry, now is a good time to consider investing in farmland. “Quality farm and recreation properties in the Memphis area have historically been solid investments which people have also enjoyed with their family and friends. Given performance/security of other investment options, today’s investors are increasingly choosing to diversify in farmland.” Working closely with Jeff, Commercial Advisors has launched a new website to market Farmland Advisors. The site, www.farmlandadvisors.com, has current listings as well as information for those interested in making an investment in land.

Read the MBJ article here.

C&W Releases its North American Industrial Overview

This overview provides readers a comprehensive look at key market drivers, trends, and statistics in a quick and easily digestible format. The global economy is now nineteen months removed from the official end of the recession and the industrial real estate markets are starting to reflect this recovery. While the recovery remains slow and steady, market indicators continue to track upwards and many major markets across North America are experiencing increased leasing activity and positive absorption. Global trade—a key benchmark for the health of the industrial markets—is helping to drive the recovery, with several key metrics returning to prerecession levels. C&W remains confident that this momentum will continue and that the industrial landscape will remain strong in 2011 and beyond.
Download the pdf file here.

MBJ: Aerotropolis Development Site Marketed for Sale

A 113-acre site that once was home to the Mall of Memphis is back on the market.

Commercial Advisors LLC brokers Dave Curran and Matt Weathersby, who are listing the property for an asking price of $3.95 million, see it as a prime location for Memphis’ next big industrial user.

Memphis Mall Holdings LLC, an entity of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., owns the property at the southwest corner of Perkins and Interstate 240, but has had it off the market for the past two years.

“They’re a motivated seller looking to get something done,” Weathersby says.

Read more: Mall of Memphis marketed for sale | Memphis Business Journal

MBJ Article: Lifeblood Merges Germantown & Collierville Facilities

The new facility will be located at 2095 Exeter Road. Larry Jensen and Matt Weathersby represented Lifeblood in the transaction, using advanced mapping techniques to identify the best location for their operation. According to the MBJ "The new facility, which will open in February, will be about 3,200 square feet and allow Lifeblood to better serve a market where more than 22 percent of its total donors live. Lifeblood, a not-for-profit blood donor and research organization, has an estimated 35,000 active donors in its service area, which extends to Tipton County, North Mississippi and East Arkansas."

Read more: Lifeblood caters to donors by merging Collierville, Germantown facilities in larger space | Memphis Business Journal

Planning Begins on Third Bridge

TDOT has begun a study to examine building a third bridge across the Mississippi River and improve transportation in the tri-state area. They are calling it the Southern Gateway Project, and it is being developed through a collaborative effort amongst TDOT, Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD), MDOT, Memphis and West Memphis Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). To learn more you can visit the project website here.