U. S. Northeast Takes Lead in Expansions

An increase in mergers and acquisitions and the recent boom in the nation’s Northeast are major trends affecting corporate facilities expansions, according to a survey commissioned by Marina del Rey-based Computer-Aided Design Group and released at the recent Chicago convention of the International Facility Management Assn.

Donn Carter, director of marketing for the company, said the greatest amount of facility growth was reported in the Northeast, with 82% of the firms surveyed there reporting an increase and only 12% staying the same. The West and the South reported identical 75% figures for increased facilities, with 25% reporting no change in both regions, Carter said.

The Midwest reported a 67% facility increase, a 22% decrease and 11% no change, he said. Mergers and acquisitions accounted for 40% of the facilities increases, while management reorganization accounted for 30% and new markets and products accounted for the other 30%.

“Much of the reported and projected growth took place in the manufacturing, insurance and banking industries,” Carter said. “The divisions that experienced the most intense corporate growth rate within the organization were administrative, information services, sales and finance.”