JLL launches Advanced Manufacturing Group to meet surge in high-tech industrial demand

Chicago-based industrial real estate firm JLL announced today it is expanding its service portfolio, with the addition of its new Advanced Manufacturing Group.

Company officials said that this group is part of its Industries team, and will focus on delivering specialized industry-leading expertise and integrated solutions to developers, occupiers and investors involved in the manufacturing of complex, customized products.

JLL’s Advanced Manufacturing Group includes a Center of Excellence (COE) that it said assembles JLL manufacturing experts across Leasing Advisory, Work Dynamics, Project and Development Services and Property Management to provide site selection, integrated facilities management, portfolio optimization, project management, occupancy planning and sustainability services.

JLL defines advanced manufacturing as a process, “which transforms the production landscape by fusing state-of-the-art technologies with innovative processes.” It explained this is done by integrating artificial intelligence, robotics, automation and real-time data analytics to streamline operations, boost precision, enhance productivity and conserve energy. And these advanced manufacturing facilities produce materials such as semiconductors, EV batteries, aviation and automotive components, electronics, military equipment, medical technology and devices, among others.

“We've strategically formed the Advanced Manufacturing group to address the evolving needs of an industry that's rapidly transforming through technology,” said Andy Poppink, CEO, Leasing Advisory, JLL, in a statement. “Our team of experts is already operational and actively guiding clients through this dynamic landscape. Our goal is to transform traditional spaces into innovation centers that will serve as global models of manufacturing and set the tone for the next chapter in industrial advancement.”

Leading the new Advanced Manufacturing Group are Greg Matter, Vice Chair Industrial Leasing and Site Selection, and Meredith O’Connor, Vice Chair, National Site Selection and Incentives. JLL noted that in a partnership with Meaghan Elwell, Division President, Global – Industrials, Work Dynamics, the JLL Advanced Manufacturing COE will serve as a hub for cross-industry and business collaboration across the manufacturing spectrum.

In an interview with LM, Matter provided a detailed overview of JLL’s Advanced Manufacturing Group.

LM: What drove the need for JLL to establish its new Advanced Manufacturing Group? How long had it been planned/in the works?

Matter: JLL has a long, successful track record of working with manufacturers and investors across their global portfolios, whether its global site selection and location strategy services, attracting large occupiers to property listings, optimizing global real estate footprints, reducing the total cost of a client’s real estate, mitigating operational risk or enhancing workplace safety. The JLL Advanced Manufacturing Group does it all.

Formalizing this team creates additional value for our clients; it’s also a response to the growing investment in domestic advanced manufacturing, which has become significant in its own right across a broad range of industries.

As the regionalized approach to manufacturing accelerates, we brought together our seasoned experts from our various business lines—Leasing Advisory, Work Dynamics, Property Management, Project and Development Services, to name a few—to offer an integrated, ONE JLL solution to our clients. By combining our extensive market knowledge with tailored solutions, we're uniquely positioned to support the entire ecosystem of advanced manufacturing – from investors and developers to occupiers. 

LM: What are/will be the primary tasks and responsibilities of the group?

Matter: The Advanced Manufacturing group has three primary focus areas:

1-Supply-Side Insights for Investors: We provide comprehensive market intelligence and guidance to investors on optimizing their real estate portfolios to meet the evolving needs of advanced manufacturing occupiers.   

2-Capturing New North American Demand: Our team will leverage market insights to help clients take advantage of the surging demand in North American manufacturing, identifying opportunities for growth and expansion.   

3-Supporting Occupier Shifts to Domestic Manufacturing: We’ll expand our existing occupier relationships by guiding them through the complexities of growing their domestic manufacturing footprint. This includes supporting our clients in managing their overall portfolio strategy and the cost and due diligence of remodeling aging facilities or building new ones.

LM: What are the main benefits of the group for JLL customers i.e. occupiers?

Matter: This innovative approach combines the best JLL has to offer. In today's economy, the key to success will be maintaining a healthy tension between the need for locally executed tactics and a globally integrated strategy, so we have organized our advanced manufacturing experts into a centralized, integrated hub to best serve our clients.

Advanced manufacturing spans multiple industries—aerospace and defense, aviation, healthcare, technology and more. Modern advanced manufacturing facilities require specialized equipment, power loads, technology, and talent to produce these complex products.

JLL business lines have always and continue to work smoothly together, pooling resources in this new way allows for even greater collaboration and innovation among team members to address the sophisticated needs of these clients.

LM: In what ways will the Advanced Manufacturing COE serve as a hub for cross-industry and business collaboration across the manufacturing spectrum, as the press release states?

Matter: JLL delivers real estate expertise that runs across the spectrum of services someone involved in advanced manufacturing could need, including leasing and tenant representation, debt advisory, investment sales, integrated facilities management, valuation advisory, property management, project management, design services, lease administration, transaction management, supply chain network strategy, business and economic incentives negotiation, and more.

JLL's industry-leading platform supports the integrated structure for The Advanced Manufacturing Group, serving as a hub for specialized knowledge and deep expertise. The team encompasses the entire ecosystem of advanced manufacturing real estate needs, giving clients streamlined access to specialists who deliver end-to-end services with experts across both business lines and multiple industries engaged in advanced manufacturing practices.