BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — Auto stamper Kamtek has purchased a 293,000-square-foot facility on Sterilite Drive in Pinson Valley that was previously slated to become a manufacturing plant for Isuzu trucks.

Commercial real estate firm Graham & Co. announced the deal today. Officials with Kamtek, a division of international auto supplier Magna International, declined to comment on their plans for the building.

Graham & Co. originally developed the facility, which sits on 36 acres, for Del Monte in 1993 as its Southeast distribution center. Then the firm represented Del Monte in Isuzu’s purchase of it in 2006.

Isuzu, which had planned to assemble light duty work trucks there, scrapped the project after the economy soured. In 2011, it was put on the market.

Sonny Culp of Graham & Co. represented Isuzu in the deal, and Jack Brown, also of Graham & Co., represented Kamtek.

“The sale of this significant industrial facility underscores a couple of things,” Culp said. “First, there are segments of our economy ready to expand and invest in opportunities of growth. Second, a healthier real estate market will result when there is turn of inventory. At Graham & Company, we are seeing a balance return to our market as it relates to both values and inventory levels. The sale of this particular asset hammers that home.”

Kamtek, which supplies auto companies in Alabama and beyond, has been in a growth mode lately. In 2009, the company announced that it had landed a contract to supply parts to Volkswagen’s new auto assembly plant in Tennessee.

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][ Read article at al.com ][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — Graham & Co. has announced several recent deals:

Gary C. Wyatt Inc. leased 3,800 square feet of office space at Riverchase Business Park at 245 Riverchase Parkway East. Sam Carroll represented the tenant and Engel Realty Company Inc. represented the landlord in the transaction.

ThyssenKrupp Materials North America Inc. purchased a 22 acre site in Bibb County to build a 100,000-square-foot craned building. Ogden Deaton represented ThyssenKrupp Materials in the site selection and development of the facility.

IberiaBank expanded its lease by 6,682 square feet, bringing its total at Grandview II to 33,385 square feet. Brad Jones represented the landlord and JH Berry & Gilbert Inc. represented the tenant in the transaction.

Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems Inc. renewed its lease at Moody Commerce Park. The company maintains 140,400 square feet at 2545 US Hwy 78. Sonny Culp represented the landlord and EGS Commercial Real Estate Inc. represented the tenant.

A 13,200 square feet office building at 1100 Lee Branch Lane sold for $1.65 million. Sam Carroll and Maddie Humphries represented the seller and Colliers International represented the purchaser in this transaction.

Decoma Modular Systems Integration Group finalized plans to renew its current industrial space of 120,120 square feet at Jefferson Metropolitan Industrial Park located in McCalla. Culp represented the landlord and EGS Commercial Real Estate Inc. represented the tenant.

Carroll and Walter Brown represented the purchaser in the acquisition of 4.6 acres; a portion of Lot 7A, Meadow Brook Corporate Park South, Phase II, which sold for $1.28 million. Daniel Corp. represented the seller in this transaction.

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][ Read article at al.com ][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

The Gannett Company, which publishes the Montgomery Advertiser, has reached an agreement with Graham and Company, LLC, to sell the building that houses the Advertiser’s news and business operations at 425 Molton St., in downtown Montgomery.

The Advertiser’s production facility, located next door at 475 Molton St., is not included in the agreement. Print products will continue to be produced at this facility.

“Our business has changed over the past few years and we find ourselves in a building that doesn’t suit our needs as well as it once did,” said Advertiser publisher Sam Martin.

“The sale of the building in no way minimizes our commitment to this community,” Martin said. “We are committed to continuing our role as the No. 1 provider of news and information in the marketplace. Our readers will continue to receive the local news and information they expect, and our advertisers will continue to reap results from their investment. This is simply a real estate transaction.”

The Advertiser will look for office space more suited to current business needs, Martin said.

In addition to the daily newspaper, the Advertiser Company also publishes montgomeryadvertiser.com, the weekly Prattville, Millbrook and Wetumpka Progress and the Bulletin Board.

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][ Read article at montgomeryadvertiser.com ][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

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MCCALLA, Alabama — About 50 representatives from companies interested in using Norfolk Southern’s new railroad hub in McCalla toured the facility on Thursday and learned more about its operations.

Norfolk Southern and Birmingham commercial real estate firm Graham & Co. sponsored the event at the Birmingham Regional Intermodal Facility.

Participants included trucking companies, distributors, logistics firms and manufacturers, said Sonny Culp of Graham & Co.

Representatives from Walmart’s distribution center in Cullman also were there, he said.

“It was a sundry of folks connected to goods and the movement of those goods,” he said.

Norfolk Southern executives joined area government and business leaders Wednesday for a ribbon cutting ceremony at the $97.5 million facility, which is expected to help create or maintain 8,600 jobs in the region over the next 10 years as companies benefit from the key piece of infrastructure.

Culp said the group got an overview from the Norfolk Southern team about what the facility will do and what services it will provide.

Operations are expected to begin next month, and Culp said he expects activity at the hub to develop gradually.

“I think it’s something that will unfold more and more in the coming months and even years,” he said. “It won’t happen all of a sudden. It will be a building thing.”

Graham & Co. represented Norfolk Southern in the site selection process for the hub.

[/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][ Read article at al.com ][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — ThyssenKrupp Materials North America Inc. said today that it will invest $13 million to build a materials processing and distribution center in Woodstock, Ala.

Construction of the new facility, which initially will employ 20 people and as many as 45 within five years, is scheduled to begin this month. Hiring for positions that include machine operations, material handling, logistics and sales is scheduled to begin early next year.

“This project is extremely important for the Birmingham region and Alabama. ThyssenKrupp Materials is an internationally recognized company and is especially recognizable here in Alabama,” said Brian Hilson, CEO of the Birmingham Business Alliance. “It’s also significant because of the jobs and capital investment and because this development is in Bibb County. This can generate more attention for Bibb County as a future business location for other companies.”

Southfield, Mich.-based ThyssenKrupp Materials North America processes and distributes a full line of aluminum, stainless, copper, brass, specialty metals, steel and plastics products that are used in the production of automobiles, commercial food equipment, HVAC equipment and more. The Alabama center will be operated by the company’s Coil Processing Group.

The facility in Woodstock’s 565-acre Scott G. Davis Industrial Park will support the operations of the company’s Ken-Mac Metals and ThyssenKrupp Steel Services divisions. Ohio-based Ken-Mac Metals offers nonferrous and stainless steel flat rolled products, while ThyssenKrupp Steel Services, based in South Carolina, supplies hot and cold rolled carbon steel to customers in the southeastern United States.

The 100,000-square-foot craned building will have four lines for processing materials such as carbon steel, aluminum and stainless steel, the company said. The plant in Woodstock, which straddles Tuscaloosa and Bibb counties, can be expanded by an additional 150,000 square feet.

“The decision to locate our Coil Processing Group’s newest processing and distribution center in Alabama reflects the economic vitality and extensive opportunities that exist in the Southern United States,” said Hans-Josef Hoss, CEO of ThyssenKrupp Materials North America.

Ogden Deaton of Graham & Co. represented ThyssenKrupp Materials in the site selection and development.

ThyssenKrupp also operates a vast steel plant near Mobile.

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][ Read article at al.com ][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

source: al.com

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — DriveTime, a growing used-car dealership, is expanding into Huntsville with its fourth location in the state.

The company is converting the former Barnhill’s Buffet at 3801 University Drive. The scheduled opening date is Nov. 16, said Vicky Bowen, DriveTime’s senior project manager.

DriveTime Automotive Group, headquartered in Phoenix, Ariz., operates 91 dealerships in 18 states, with one dealership each in Birmingham, Pelham and Mobile, according to the company’s website.

The company, which specializes in helping buyers with credit issues, also provides financing for substantially all of the vehicles it sells.

Each dealership stocks about 60 to 70 vehicles, with vehicle ages generally ranging from three to seven years, the company said.

David Garnett, an associate broker with Graham & Co. in Huntsville, represented the owner in the five-year lease of the property at University and Julia Street, and Jonathan E. Lindsey of The Shopping Center Group in Birmingham represented DriveTime.

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][ Read article at al.com ][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

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HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA OFFICE MARKET

The total Huntsville office market comprises 17 million square feet. Seventy-one percent of the total office market is located within the Cummings Research Park (CRP) boundary. CRP is the second largest research park in the United States, encompassing more than 3,800 acres with only 450 acres left for future development. Major office users in the Huntsville market include Boeing, SAIC, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. These companies support the various demands of the military installations on Redstone Arsenal.

In fact, the Huntsville office market depends heavily on the defense industry as well as research and development industries for job growth. The current federal budget climate has many companies taking a wait-and-see approach when it comes to planning expansions. This attitude has affected Huntsville’s office vacancy rate and planned construction.

The 2012 mid-year office vacancy rate for Huntsville is tracking at more than 12 percent, a substantial increase from the 8.1 percent average vacancy during the last five years. Although the Huntsville office market has experienced a decrease in activity, it continues to exceed the national standard for vacancy rates.

The recent slow down in defense spending and the lack of funding for several projects within NASA have adversely affected Huntsville occupancy and new projects. Although new office construction has been slow, some new product is being developed. In 2011, Corporate Office Properties Trust began construction on Redstone Gateway, a multi-use, multi-building enhanced-use lease project, located at the entrance to Redstone Arsenal. The first building was completed in the first quarter of 2012 and offers 130,000 square feet of Class A office space.

Despite the slow down in overall new construction, there is a lot of activity taking place on Redstone Arsenal. Turner Universal was recently awarded a contract to build a five-story, 225,000-square-foot building for the Missile Defense Agency. Since the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) announcement, Redstone Arsenal has added more than 1.5 million square feet of new office space. The 2005 BRAC project, which was completed in 2011, added thousands of new jobs to Redstone Arsenal and the Huntsville market. The total workforce on the Arsenal now exceeds 36,000 employees, including more than 18,000 government civilian workers. Built in 1941, Redstone Arsenal was originally constructed to produce conventional chemical ammunition for World War II. In later years, Wernher von Braun and his team of German scientists developed the first ballistic missile on the Arsenal. This development led to the establishment of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in 1960. Redstone Arsenal is now home to U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, the Space and Missile Defense Command, Army Material Command, numerous Program Executive Offices and major components of the Defense Intelligence Agency and the Missile Defense Agency.

One economic driver seeing positive momentum in the Huntsville area is the growth in the biotech industry. The Hudson Alpha Institute for Biotechnology broke ground in 2006 and now encompasses 270,000 square feet of lab, office and common area space. Twenty-two companies are located at the facility. A 22,000-square-foot conference building has been added to the Institute, and construction has begun on an additional 88,000-square-foot multi-tenant building.

In addition to growth in the biotech field, the defense industry has seen some growth as well. Boeing will continue development of the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense System due to its grant of a $3.8 billion, seven-year contract. The Huntsville team, led by Boeing and its partner Northrop Grumman, is in charge of operating the country’s only operational defense system against long-range ballistic missiles. Although the project will not grow the current office need in Huntsville, it does preclude the potential negative impact of losing the contract.

NASA is optimistic about the future of the Space Launch System (SLS). The plans and design for the heavy-lift launch vehicle system were disclosed in mid-2010 with a target launch date of 2017. NASA is soliciting proposals from industry leaders on the affordability and sustainability of the SLS as it evolves from a 70-metric-ton vehicle to a 130-metric-ton vehicle. NASA’s office requirements in the Huntsville area have declined during the last five years, however the SLS project could provide a much-needed boost to NASA and the visibility of the agency.

— Bart Smith, CCIM, SIOR, is a managing broker in Graham & Co.’s Huntsville office.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

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BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — Graham & Co. has completed two key, Class A office leases in downtown Birmingham for Cadence Bank and Adams and Reese LLP.

Dan Lovell represented Cadence Bank, which leased 55,000 square feet for its Alabama headquarters in the Concord Center.

Sam Carroll and Walter Brown represented Adams and Reese in a 22,000-square-foot lease in Regions Harbert Plaza just below The Summit Club.

Harbert Realty Services represented the landlord in both transactions.

Cadence Bank is seeking $100,000 in incentives from the city in its move to the Concord Center.

The bank already has its headquarters in Birmingham’s John Hand Building on 20th Street, but the incentives would help further expansion and job creation as it moves into a permanent headquarters, city officials say.

Other recent office deals for Graham & Co. include BBVA Compass, which expanded and renewed its lease at 750 Lakeshore Parkway, the former Parisian headquarters. Lovell and John Coleman represented the landlord, and Jones Lang LaSalle represented BBVA Compass in the 82,200-square-foot lease.

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Oakstone Publishing leased 23,511 square feet at the Meadow Brook 2700 Building. Brown represented Oakstone Publishing and Daniel Realty represented the landlord.

[/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][ Read article at al.com ][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

source: bizjournals.com

CRE Deals Database

Real estate firms added a slew of new deals to the CRE deals database this week, including the purchase of a 48,000-square-foot industrial building on 15 acres in Chelsea.

Ogden Deaton represented the buyer, Builders First Soruce, and Jordan Tubb represented the unidentified seller. Both belong to Graham & Co.

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][ Read article at bizjournals.com ][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

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source – al.com

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — Sales completed by Birmingham’s Graham & Co. during July had a combined value of nearly $9.6 million, as activity in the commercial real estate market continues at a fairly steady pace.

While the market is still inconsistent, in terms of activity translating into deals, there’s a building positive momentum in that area, said Ogden Deaton, senior vice president for Graham.

“More and more people are starting to pull the trigger and move forward,” he said.

Among Graham’s key deals last month was the sale of a 20,529-square-foot Class A office building at 4527 Southlake Parkway in Riverchase. Sam Carroll represented the seller, and Deaton represented the buyer.

The Kapar building at 3512 Old Montgomery Highway also sold. Dan Lovell represented the seller of the 10,000-square-foot Homewood office building, while EGS Commercial Real Estate Inc. represented the buyer.

Other sales included a CSX rail-served industrial facility in Chelsea that covers 15 acres and includes a 48,000-square-foot warehouse. Jordan Tubb represented the seller, and Deaton represented the buyer, Builders First Source.

Another rail-served industrial facility, this one covering 87,190 square feet on 14 acres at 140 Goodrich Drive, also sold. Deaton represented the seller, Silgan Manufacturing, while Jack Brown represented the buyer, Waste Pro.

Deaton cited low interest rates and decent values as two factors driving the transactions. Also, some buyers have been studying their options for a while, and now they’re realizing it might be their last chance to take advantage of a good opportunity.

“All those things, in my mind, certainly seem to be moving toward a better overall market,” he said.

Meanwhile, there is some hesitation because of the November elections, but other businesses are moving forward despite that uncertainty.

“We have a couple of different folks vying for the same facility,” Deaton said. “We haven’t seen that for awhile.”

Graham’s other notable deals in July included the sale of the partially developed Hearthstone subdivision in McCalla to a local investor. Mike Lawley represented the seller, and Southpace Properties represented the buyer.

Jack Brown was involved in the following deals:

Represented Conzelman & Associates as the buyer of the 3,855-square-foot Bloom Building at 2518 18th St. South in Homewood. Plott & Co. represented the seller.

Represented the investor in its purchase of a 10,000-square-foot vacant industrial building at 5621 Shirley Park Drive in Bessemer. Southpace Properties represented the seller.

Represented the purchaser of a 24,710-square-foot industrial facility at 109 Citation Court in Homewood. EGS Commercial Real Estate represented the seller.

Graham’s July deals also included out-of-town transactions:

Walter Brown sold a 25,757-square-foot medical office building in Anniston at 818 Leighton Ave. Keller Williams Realty Group represented the purchaser.

And in Panama City, Fla., Michael Lawley brokered the sale of 53 acres of commercial property at Front Beach Road and Thomas Drive.

[/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][ Read article at al.com ][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]