Top current demand drivers

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton teams up with special guest host Ward Richmond (Vice Chairman, Colliers) to dig into the state of industrial real estate with Brandon Page. EVP, Head of Leasing & Customer Solutions and Glenn Wylie (Senior Managing Director, East Region at Link Logistics. The conversation frames what a “balanced market” looks like in 2025 (tight small-bay infill vs. more options at bulk) while unpacking the demand stack from e-commerce and nearshoring to data center spillovers and the renewed importance of 3PL flexibility.

The group gets practical on bonded warehouses and FTZs (where and why they fit), market dynamics across the Southeast, Texas, and Phoenix, and how power availability and automation readiness are influencing site decisions. You’ll also hear how Link Logistics uses data and AI, from rent-modeling insights to faster decision support across an infill-centric portfolio (with most assets within an hour of dense populations). The throughline: customers want flexibility, optimization, and speed, and the teams that blend relationships with good data will find the next wave of opportunity first.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(00:40) Scott welcomes Ward, Brandon, and Glenn

(03:17) Baseball stories and quick warm-ups

(05:40) Tailgate favorites: Publix chicken, BBQ, cheeseburgers

(07:28) Ward on music and podcast projects

(08:37) Supply chain real estate 101 with Link Logistics

(12:57) Market shifts since 2022: slower, smarter leasing

(14:37) Demand drivers: e-commerce, nearshoring, power

(24:20) 3PL growth, manufacturing, and data centers

(27:25) Bonded warehouses and FTZ setup

(30:55) Flexibility and cost pressures

(32:14) Customer priorities: optimization and power

(38:57) Regional trends: Southeast, Houston, Phoenix

(46:05) AI and tech driving efficiency

(53:21) Common myths about industrial real estate

(58:16) Takeaways on balance and relationships

Additional Links & Resources:

• Connect with Brandon Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-j-page-385395236/ 
• Connect with Glenn Wylie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenn-wylie-233105203/ 
• Learn more about Link Logistics: https://www.linklogistics.com 
• Connect with Ward Richmond: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wardrichmond/
• Ward Richmond’s official website: https://www.truckinon.com/  
• Learn more about Colliers: https://www.colliers.com/
• Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about 
• Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com 
• Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now  
• Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join  
• Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk
• WEBINAR- Inside the Cargo Theft Surge: Insights & Predictions for 2026: https://bit.ly/4oVAsms
• WEBINAR- Inside Outdoor Cap’s Warehouse: How Voice Picking Elevated Daily Operations: https://bit.ly/49m4D1z
• WEBINAR- Supply Chain Strength: Strategies that Deliver in any Economy: https://bit.ly/4hqTnTH

This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/portfolio-behind-5-us-gdp-link-logistics-whats-driving-demand-1505