Thomas Kilduff, vice president of operations, says a lease was coming due so the opportunity surfaced to consider a campus in Dallas/Fort Worth. "We saw how much more efficiencies we got in Chicago with the campus-style and that was the deciding factor for it," he says.

Dallas/Fort Worth's geographical positioning will result in the DB Schenker campus becoming an international gateway for domestic and international imports and exports, according to Schutzenhofer. "It will be an aircraft hub and truck hub," he emphasizes. The campus has been designed with a 220-foot truck court with a separate secured storage lot with 90 positions. The 71,000-sf building will support domestic trade and the larger one will be used for international shipments.

The DB Schenker Dallas campus was designed by Halff Associates of Richardson, TX. McFadden & Miller Inc. of Dallas is the general contractor.

Perot says the DB Schenker-BAX build-to-suit deal has been 18 months in the making. Although he'd worked on other projects with BAX, he still faced stiff competition to win development rights and the long-term lease that goes along with it. "It was sought after by all the big name developers," he says. "We were fortunate to be selected." And, he's says he's holding a land option that will "accommodate their needs for the future."

A corporate spokeswoman says the combined force totals 155 locations in the US. BAX also has leased space at 3911 S. Walton Walker Blvd. and 9500 Royal Lane in Irving, which are expected to stay firmly rooted.

The combined companies lead the industry in European land transportation, are ranked second in worldwide air freight and third in worldwide ocean freight and North American integrated heavy freight. As for their other US locations, it's still up in the air if more campuses will emerge from their integration. "It depends on the city and the strategic importance to the network," Kilduff says.