Local Entrepreneur Discovers Solution Across the Street
CHALLENGE
Rock Energy Systems, LLC a manufacturer of waste oil heaters founded and
headquartered in Janesville, Wisconsin, purchased a competitor located in
Nashville. With that acquisition came a new challenge—should they manage
the new company as a satellite operation or should they consolidate both
companies inside their current manufacturing and warehouse facility in
Janesville? After an evaluation of existing floor space, Rock Energy opted for
consolidation but realized that they would need more square footage and
engaged Coldwell Banker Commercial McGuire Mears & Associates for
assistance.
ACTION
The team of Bill Mears and Adam Shultz pitched two scenarios: Rock Energy
might be able to find available space in the market, or there always was the
possibility of build-to-suit. However, Mears, with his market knowledge,
reached out to the owner of the property directly across the street from Rock
Energy. There sat a 52,000 SF building that housed the property owner’s
powder coating business, and Mears had a feeling that the property owner was
ready to sell both the business’s assets and the real estate.
RESULTS
• Rock Energy purchased the 52,000 SF building to accommodate
additional manufacturing and warehousing
• Rock Energy also purchased the powder coating assets and now paints
its own parts
• Real estate sale price was $2.0M / $38.46 PSF
• The Nashville operation is now housed within the Janesville facilities
"Bill read about our acquisition and called me the same day. He let me know that space
was tight but suggested that he might have a solution to our consolidation problem.
Several months and a lot of hard work later, the trailers were packed and we were moving
north!" - Barry Brandt, CEO of Rock Energy Systems, LLC