Ancra sets up shop in Woodstock

IDI landed a Commerce Way tenant

City at 'crossroads' of 401 and 403

By Mark Schadenberg

No year-round roundup to be typed by me, but here’s one more Woodstock economic good news item as 2012 draws to a close.

Quietly this past spring, Ancra International moved into the City, taking up residence in one of the two gigantic warehouse-like buildings erected in Commerce Way on Parkinson Road by Industrial Developments International (IDI) based in Chicago.

With amazing 401 visibility it seemed logical that these IDI buildings would soon find tenants.

Some compiled information below is from websites from IDI, Ancra (www.ancra-llc.com) and www.cometothecrossroads.com.

Ancra’s lease called for over 26,000 sq ft, which almost doubled that company’s current operational space.

“IDI’s facility exceeded our expectations for a distribution center,” said Brian Larocque, managing director for Ancra Canada. “Increasing our space gives us room to continue to expand our business, and we’re very pleased with our decision to move.”

Setting up shop in Building A with a Beard’s Lane address, Ancra became IDI’s first-ever tenancy in a Canadian business park.

Distribution Hub

Ancra, which is based in California, supplies cargo restraint systems for airlines, trucking and military use and will use the space for product distribution.

“Ancra holds 71 domestic and foreign patents and 51 product trademarks. Each product is made from only the finest materials with attention given to every engineering detail,” the company’s portfolio notes. “All component parts and materials are selected for performance and durability to offer customers the most cost-effective and reliable solutions to their needs.”

IDI’s Commerce Way Business Park features two industrial facilities totaling 457,482 sq ft. The business park, which was developed in 2007, is located between the Kitchener-Waterloo region and London at the confluence of two of Ontario’s largest thoroughfares, Highway 401 and 403. The development represents IDI’s first venture into a Canadian market. 

IDI Is A Big Player

IDI (www.idi.com) is a real estate company focused exclusively on industrial property. The company, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, provides development, investment and property management and leasing services supported by eight, strategically located U.S. market offices. Valued at $1.8 billion, IDI is among the largest privately-held logistics property companies in North America with ownership or interests in 33 million square feet of investment grade assets, and 500m industrial facilities combined in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Then Woodstock mayor Michael Harding, in 2007, said: “IDI is among the top and best developers in all of North America and they have selected Woodstock as the location for their first foray into the Canadian market."

Mark Schadenberg

Sales Representative, Royal LePage Triland

(519) 537-1553

Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com