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Industrial Insights

Industrial Insights

By: Justin Smith
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About this listen

Industrial Insights is a podcast that highlights the market dynamics, high level strategies, and in the trenches tactics for tenants and owners of industrial real estate. Each episode is designed to take hard fought wisdom from practitioners and break it down into insights that can drive better commercial real estate decision making. The host, Justin Smith, shares his experiences from 16 years in the business and brings in industry experts to discuss critical aspects of successful industrial projects.Copyright 2024 Economics Marketing Marketing & Sales Personal Finance
Episodes
  • SoCal Industrial Q2 2025 Market Breakdown with Jesse Gundersheim
    Jun 30 2025

    In this episode of the Industrial Insights podcast, Justin Smith and Jesse Gundersheim of CoStar discuss the current state of the industrial market as they approach the end of Q2. They explore various themes including market trends, leasing dynamics, vacancy rates, population growth, port activity, construction trends, and sales. The conversation highlights the challenges and opportunities within the market, providing insights into tenant behavior, economic predictions, and the overall health of the industrial sector.

    Key Takeaways

    • The industrial market is experiencing a weakening in fundamentals.
    • Vacancy rates are rising, but not as steeply as before.
    • Smaller buildings are performing better than larger ones in terms of vacancy.
    • Tenants are gaining leverage in negotiations due to increased options.
    • Population growth in LA and Orange County is showing positive signs.
    • Port activity does not directly correlate with local industrial absorption.
    • Retail sales forecasts indicate a decline in growth rates.
    • Leasing activity is increasing, but new listings are also rising.
    • Construction starts have significantly decreased from peak levels.
    • Comparative analysis shows that rents in SoCal are competitive with other regions.

    Chapters

    • 00:00 - Introduction and Market Overview
    • 02:21 - Current Market Sentiment and Trends
    • 05:01 - Leasing Activity and Vacancy Rates
    • 07:27 - Tenant Dynamics and Deal Economics
    • 10:08 - Population Growth and Its Impact on Demand
    • 12:13 - Port Activity and Its Correlation with Industrial Absorption
    • 14:53 - Sales Trends and Institutional Interest
    • 17:25 - Construction Trends and Future Outlook
    • 20:03 - Subleasing Dynamics and Market Adjustments
    • 22:18 - Comparative Analysis of Regional Markets
    • 24:56 - Final Thoughts and Future Predictions

    Resources

    Connect with Jesse Gundersheim

    • https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessegundersheim/
    • jgundersheim@costar.com

    Connect with Justin Smith

    • https://smithcre.com/
    • https://www.lee-associates.com/
    • jbsmith@leeirvine.com
    • https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinbsmith
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    39 mins
  • Optimizing Warehouse Efficiency Without Robots with Mike Myers of Lully
    Apr 21 2025
    In this episode of the Industrial Insights podcast, Justin Smith interviews Mike Myers from Lully, discussing the inefficiencies in warehouse management systems (WMS) and how Lully aims to improve operational efficiency without requiring significant changes to existing processes. They explore real-world examples of operational improvements, the challenges faced in warehouse operations, and the role of third-party logistics (3PL) providers in the current market. The conversation also touches on insights from the ProMAT conference and the future of warehouse management, including the intersection of AI and logistics. Key Takeaways Lully focuses on improving existing WMS systems without major changes.Operational efficiency is key in logistics and warehouse management.Real-world examples demonstrate significant improvements in fulfillment times.3PLs face unique challenges due to multiple client rules and requirements.The market for integrators in logistics is stable and growing.Old buildings will outnumber new ones, necessitating innovative solutions.AI is a part of the conversation but not the primary focus for Lully.Continuous improvement is essential for adapting to market changes.Understanding client needs is crucial for effective warehouse management.Collaboration between integrators and logistics providers is vital for success. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Lully and Industry Insights01:50 - Understanding Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) Challenges07:40 - Real-World Examples of Operational Improvements12:33 - Navigating Client Relationships and Expectations18:42 - Continuous Improvement and Adaptation in Operations21:31 - Current Trends and Challenges in the 3PL Industry24:22 - Navigating Complex Operations27:03 - Understanding Growth and Adaptation30:00 - Insights from ProMAT Experience32:53 - The Role of Integrators in Operations35:53 - Embracing New Technologies39:10 - The Future of AI in Operations Episode Resources Connect with Mike Myers https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-j-myers/https://lully.ai/ Connect with Justin Smith https://smithcre.com/https://www.lee-associates.com/jbsmith@leeirvine.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/justinbsmith
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    38 mins
  • Irvine Junior Games with Sharon Wellickson and Teresa Collins
    Mar 4 2025
    In this episode, Justin Smith welcomes Sharon Wellickson and Teresa Collins from the Irvine Children's Fund to discuss the Irvine Junior Games. They explore the history, impact, and structure of the event, which raises funds for childcare scholarships for low-income families. The conversation highlights community involvement, sponsorship, and the resilience of the program during the pandemic. They also touch on the importance of volunteer engagement and inclusivity in sports, culminating in a celebration of youth athletics and community spirit. Key Takeaways The Irvine Junior Games started in 1986 as a fundraising event.The event raises approximately $200,000 annually for childcare scholarships.Over 1,400 athletes participate in various track and field events.Community sponsorships play a crucial role in funding the event.The event includes adaptive sports for students with disabilities.Volunteers are essential, with over 300 helping on the event day.The pandemic posed significant challenges, but the program adapted and survived.The event fosters community pride and involvement among families.Taco Bell's sponsorship is unique as they donate 100% of profits.The parade of athletes is a highlight, celebrating school spirit and community support. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to the Irvine Children's Fund and Junior Games02:52 - The History and Impact of the Irvine Junior Games05:33 - Athletic Events and Community Involvement08:34 - Sponsorships and Community Support11:17 - The Role of Volunteers and Teachers13:55 - Adapting to Challenges: The Pandemic Experience16:48 - Inclusivity in Sports: Adaptive PE Participation19:34 - The Parade of Athletes and Community Spirit Episode Resources Connect with Irvine Children's Fund & Junior Games https://irvinechildrensfund.org/irvine-junior-games/ Connect with Justin Smith https://smithcre.com/https://www.lee-associates.com/jbsmith@leeirvine.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/justinbsmith
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    26 mins
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