CHICAGO—There isn't much industrial space available in the I-80 submarket, and 2016 looks like it will be a big year for new construction. Batory Foods has just become the latest distributor to launch a major project in the area. The Des Plaines, IL-based national food ingredient company will soon occupy a new 678,000 square foot build-to-suit facility at Ridge Development's RidgePort Logistics Center in Wilmington, IL. The new facility will sit on about 36 acres and Batory will have the ability to expand on an additional 22 acres.

Batory already has 30 distribution centers throughout the country, but has decided to use the RidgePort facility to launch a new line of business providing third party logistics services. To fulfill the Batory's needs, the new facility needs special features such as custom-built food grade dock packages. That helped company officials to decide on seeking a build-to-suit opportunity.

They selected Newmark Grubb Knight Frank to conduct an extensive market analysis and site evaluations. NGKF's Brian Reaney, director, Paul Buckingham, senior managing director, and Brian Carroll, executive managing director, represented Batory Foods in the transaction. Construction on the new distribution center will begin this month and Batory expects to take occupancy of the new space by October 2016.