Avnet Breaks Ground on New Integration and Logistics Facility
PHOENIX, Apr 18, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT), a global technology distribution and services company, broke ground today on a new integration and logistics facility in Chandler, Ariz. Ryan Companies US, Inc. will develop and construct the approximately 228,000-square-foot facility in the flex-industrial complex at Chandler Freeways Business Park and lease it back to Avnet. The building is scheduled for occupancy in May 2008. The facility will house a state-of-the-art integration center capable of building and shipping approximately 700,000 systems annually, in addition to a new warehouse dedicated to integration activities.
"Avnet's integration services team, which customizes computing hardware and software in thousands of possible configurations, has been growing steadily in the Phoenix metro area," said Fred Cuen, president, Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas. "Increasing demand for Avnet's higher-end technology integration services, such as complex server configurations and software customization, drove our need for additional floor space, power and network capabilities."
Avnet's new facility in Chandler will roughly double the company's Americas integration capacity, supporting continued growth in the region while providing improved flexibility to quickly and effectively adapt to high-end configuration requirements.
A dedicated warehouse supports Avnet's goal of providing rapid completion of integrated solutions for customers. "As globalization of our business continues, Avnet's expertise in logistics has become even more valuable to our customers worldwide. Supporting both our customers' integration and logistics needs under one roof allows us to deliver better service faster and at a lower overall cost," said Jim Smith, president, Avnet Logistics.
The new facility will also support the integration and distribution operations of Avnet's recently acquired Access Distribution business. The facility is located near Avnet's existing North American flagship distribution center in Chandler, providing the company with improved access to shared resources, transportation and facilities.
"We enjoyed working with Avnet previously on their Technology Solutions building at the ASU Research Park," said Chuck Carefoot, vice president of construction for Ryan Companies US, Inc. "It seemed a natural fit for Avnet to look nearby to the Chandler Freeways Business Park for their integration and logistics facility."
Located on a 13.11-acre site just south of SR 202 and east of I-10, Avnet's building will include a 183,061-square-foot first floor to be used as an integration and logistics facility, and a 46,679-square-foot second floor for office space. The project also includes parking for 479 cars, a recessed truck dock accommodating 14 truck bays, two drive-in dock doors, and a secured dock yard with guard house and motorized gates.
Ryan expects to receive the shell building permit later this month, and is managing all permits and approvals for the project. Balmer Architectural Group is the architect for the project. Bill Littleton of Colliers International served as broker.
About Avnet
Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT) is one of the largest distributors of electronic components, computer products and technology services and solutions with more than 250 locations serving 70 countries worldwide.
The company markets, distributes and optimizes the supply-chain and provides design-chain services for the products of the world's leading electronic component suppliers, enterprise computer manufacturers and embedded subsystem providers. Avnet brings a breadth and depth of capabilities, such as maximizing inventory efficiency, managing logistics, assembling products and providing engineering design assistance for its 100,000 customers, accelerating their growth through cost-effective, value-added services and solutions. For the fiscal year ended July 1, 2006, Avnet generated revenue of $14.25 billion. For more information, visit www.avnet.com/ (AVT_IR)
About Ryan Companies US
Ryan Companies US, Inc. is a leading national commercial real estate firm offering integrated design-build construction and development as well as asset, property and facilities management services to customers. In addition to its Phoenix office, Ryan has offices in Minneapolis, Chicago, San Diego, Tampa, Cedar Rapids, Davenport and Des Moines, Iowa. Since formally opening a Southwest regional office in Phoenix in 1994, Ryan has been responsible for constructing projects totaling more than 12 million square feet in the greater Phoenix area for premier companies such as Allied Signal (now Honeywell), Motorola, Phelps Dodge, Wells Fargo Bank, Dial Corporation, ConocoPhillips, Sears, Phoenix Newspapers, Del Webb, Avnet, Mayo Clinic and Target.
SOURCE: Avnet, Inc.
Avnet, Inc. Michelle Gorel, 480-643-7653 michelle.gorel@avnet.com or Ryan Companies US, Inc. Chuck Carefoot, 602-322-6107 Sara Dial, 480-663-0507
Copyright Business Wire 2007
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