ST. LOUIS — Wieland, a global supplier of high-quality copper and copper alloy solutions, is expanding its operations in the St. Louis region, investing $500 million in a new facility. Construction began in early March. The expansion will retain 800 jobs. Wieland, which manufactures products for the electric vehicle industry, contributes to the nearly 16,000 skilled metals industry workers in the area. The company also makes parts for construction, munitions, coinage and electronics. Wieland maintains recycling facilities in Granite City and produces welded copper tubes in Cuba, Mo. The St. Louis region ranks second in the United States for minerals and ores exports, primarily including metals and metal products, according to the St. Louis Regional Freightway.
ELK GROVE VILLAGE, ILL. — Logistics Property Co. LLC has acquired a nearly 6-acre site at 2700 York Road in Elk Grove Village located just west of the Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Construction on the site is expected to commence in May. When complete, the development will feature a 123,000-square-foot rear-load warehouse with 16 dock doors, two drive-in doors and 125 auto parking spaces. Aaron Martell and Ben Fish of Logistics Property Co. worked with Ed Lowenbaum of Cresa on the purchase. Jacob & Hefner Associates is the civil engineer. The project is slated for completion in the second quarter of 2026.
HOUSTON — A joint venture between funds backed by Houston-based developer Griffin Partners and Chicago-based investment firm Peakline Partners will develop a 224,700-square-foot industrial project in South Houston. Known as Griffin 288/West Airport, the development will be situated on a 17.8-acre site and will offer parking for 113 cars and 61 trailers (expandable to 81). Construction is slated for a second-quarter 2026 completion. Faron Wiley of CBRE represented the joint venture, which was structured by CBRE’s Nathan Wynne, in its acquisition of the land. Wiley is also the project’s leasing agent along with CBRE colleague Billy Gold.
LAREDO, TEXAS — Lee & Associates has negotiated a 103,780-square-foot industrial lease within Pinnacle Industry Center in the Rio Grande Valley city of Laredo. The tenant, freight and logistics provider Buckland Global Trade Services, will occupy the entirety of the building at 21208 Kraus Loop, which sits on a 7.4-acre site and features 32-foot clear heights. Enrique Volkmer of Lee & Associates represented the tenant in the lease negotiations. Huffman Development & Construction Services owns the building.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS — Precision Pulley & Idler has signed a 38,734-square-foot industrial lease in Arlington. The manufacturer of conveyor systems and components is taking space at the building at 2025 Meridian St., which according to LoopNet Inc. was constructed in 1980 and totals 71,973 square feet. Harrison Putt and Nick Fulton of Mercer Co. represented the tenant in the lease negotiations. Mark Graybill and Reed Parker of Lee & Associates represented the landlord, Chicago-based ML Realty Partners.
BUENA PARK, CALIF. — Shopoff Realty Investments, in partnership with a national home builder, has acquired a 13.7-acre property in Buena Park, with plans to re-entitle the parcel for residential use. The property currently features two industrial buildings totaling 370,031 square feet that are occupied by Amway Corp. with a corporate sale-leaseback in place. A total of $49 million in acquisition financing for the project was secured with assistance from Jamie Kline and Kyle White of JLL Capital Markets.
LANSING, MICH. — TruCore Investments has acquired a fully leased industrial building totaling 30,770 square feet at 4908 Contec Drive in Lansing. Built in 1999, the facility sits on 2.2 acres and features 24,050 square feet of warehouse space and 6,720 square feet of office space. There are 55 parking spaces, two conference rooms, a reception area, breakroom, two docks, two drive-in doors and a 24-foot warehouse ceiling height. The property is fully leased to Extend Your Reach, a full-service mail and marketing company. Christopher Miller of Martin Commercial Properties brokered the transaction.
WHITMAN, MASS. — Locally based brokerage firm The Stubblebine Co. has negotiated the sale of a 14.3-acre industrial outdoor storage (IOS) facility in Whitman, located south of Boston in Plymouth County. The site at 215 Bedford St. includes a 23,255-square-foot warehouse and 4.8 paved acres. Matty Drouillard and James Stubblebine of The Stubblebine Co. represented the seller, a limited liability company, in the transaction and procured the buyer, Philadelphia-based Alterra IOS
THORNWOOD, N.Y. — Immortal Fitness has signed a 14,994-square-foot lease in an industrial flex building in Thornwood, located about 30 miles north of Manhattan. The building at 1 Zeiss Drive totals 120,000 square feet, and the space will feature a range of personal and group training areas, as well as a lounge, locker rooms, sauna and patio. New York Commercial Realty Group represented the tenant and the owner, Simone Development Cos., in the lease negotiations.
By Jason Capitani, L. Mason Capitani/CORFAC International The automotive industry and business as a whole have always operated in cycles. Looking back at 2009, when Southeast Michigan faced significant challenges, the region’s recovery in the years that followed shows how resilient the local economy can be. Yet, as we navigate today’s post-COVID landscape, some still hope for a more gradual and stable recovery. Though questions remain about whether Detroit should have seen a market correction years ago, or if electric vehicle programs have artificially propped up the economy, only time will tell. Michigan’s jobless rate hovers around 4 percent, lower than the national average of over 7 percent, marking the lowest level since before the pandemic. The state has added over 450,000 jobs since 2020. While the automotive sector remains dominant, other thriving industries include advanced manufacturing, defense, IT, medical devices, food processing and logistics. 2025 outlook: early weakness with potential for shift Demand for industrial space in late 2024 and early 2025 has been weaker, with net absorption at its lowest since 2021. This dip might signal a shift in the auto industry, with some speculating a return to hybrid or combustion engine production, though these decisions take time …