Following a flurry of transactions, sustained growth throughout the 2019-20 financial year and a positive outlook for the industrial and logistics sector moving forward, Leedwell Property has expanded its Industrial and Logistics team with the appointment of former CBRE sales and leasing specialist, Renee Ferraro. Renee joins Leedwell’s Industrial and Logistics team in Melbourne alongside Christian Hatzis who moved from Facey Commercial earlier in the year and Partner, Steve Smith.
Steve Smith said ‘We have a proven service model and we’re excited to offer it to our clients on a broader geographic platform within the highly-active and ever-growing Melbourne property market. It is really exciting for us to grow our industrial resource base with young, dynamic and enthusiastic operators and to support the tremendous success that Leedwell has achieved in the retail and large format retail markets. Recent transactions such as the 5,000sqm pre-commitment to Lightning Source Australia, on behalf of the Pellicano Group, demonstrated our reach and skill-set in what was a tricky negotiation with challenges around specifications, timing and distance with decision makers in the US and UK.’
It is anticipated that COVID-19 could have positive drivers for Melbourne’s industrial and logistics property owners. ‘A recent report from NAB estimates that Australia could exceed e-commerce penetration rates sooner than predicted, COVID-19 has changed peoples shopping habits and exceeded growth in this sector. Furthermore, the increasing use of artificial intelligence and digital technology is challenging the efficiency of industrial footprints which will continue to create new opportunities.’ Renee said. The NAB figures for May showed ongoing record growth rates, with May at 10.3 per cent. Projections for growth in e-commerce in Australia was previously tracked to reach around 14 per cent in five years, mirroring the growth trajectory of the US.
The market is experiencing sustained demand for industrial property, Capital Management Australia reported that sales volumes for the 2nd Quarter of 2020 are at $1.7billion and have well exceeded that of the same period in 2019. Recent major transactions include Hong Kong-listed logistics platform ESR’s acquisition has honed its focus on 79-hectare site in Cranbourne West for a premium-grade logistics hub, with an expected end value of $450 million.
Leedwell Partner Chris Parry said ‘Renee has a proven track record and is a valuable asset to the Leedwell team. She shares Leedwell’s core values and is focussed on upholding strong relationships with key stakeholders, giving meaningful advice to our clients, contributing to the success of our team, communicating regularly and most of all generating outcomes.
Leedwell Property was founded in South Australia in 2009 and has been represented in Victoria since 2018, predominantly specialising in Industrial and Logistics as well as Retail property sectors. The group has now grown to over 45 staff across the two offices and is serious player in both Victoria’s and South Australia’s property markets.
Related Articles
