PREMIER Design + Build Group, LLC has celebrated the groundbreaking of a 133,951 sq. ft. build-to-suit on June 27. The Okabe complex will serve as the North American headquarters for OCM Inc. and Okabe Inc., manufacturing center, and distribution warehouse.
Among the attendees were representatives from OCM, Inc. and parent company Okabe Co., Ltd. including Okabe Co., Ltd. president Makoto Hirowatari, Okabe Co., Inc. president Junya Inoue and OCM, Inc. president Andy Cramer. Also present Japan’s Consulate General in Chicago, Naoki Ito.
Village of Grayslake trustees Elizabeth Davies, Adam Shores and Shawn Vogel kicked off the ceremony. Trustee Shawn Vogel graciously spoke on behalf of Mayor Rhett Taylor. Former Village of Grayslake Mayor Timothy Perry was also in attendance. Steve Groetsema and Alan Zocher, Bridge principal – Chicago office market, and PREMIER president respectively, hosted the event.
Okabe Co., Ltd., is a leading Japanese construction material company especially known for its concrete forming accessories, concrete formwork, and seismic resistant building products. The company has just celebrated its 100-year anniversary serving the concrete construction market.
The new Grayslake facility will be shared by Okabe Ltd.’s two U.S. based subsidiary companies. One is OCM Inc., which has been serving the construction industry in the USA for decades and has been growing dramatically as a result of its strategic selection of products, and its first in class distribution network including 14 strategically located warehouse locations across the USA.
OCM Inc.’s core business, is to serve concrete formwork and accessory distributors along with rebar fabrication and placing accessories within the concrete and infrastructure marketplaces.
The other is Okabe Co., Inc., founded in the Chicago area in 1977, has been a leading wholesaler in the North American truck and trailer market since its founding in the USA.
OCM/Okabe will benefit from a prime location—near the I-94 interstate highway, major railways and O’Hare International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the country. The two companies will also get a skilled labor/workforce boost from the surrounding area. Grayslake is part of Lake County, with a population of 703,000-plus people.
“Okabe manufactures high quality products and we appreciate the quality that Okabe is bringing to our village with this fine development,” mayor Rhett Taylor said through a statement. “We eagerly anticipate its completion and many years of partnership between our Village and Okabe. Thank you for choosing Grayslake. We are honored by your choice.”
“I am very pleased to be working with such a great team on our important project. Bridge Development Partners, LLC, PREMIER Design + Build Group, LLC and Cornerstone Architects, Ltd. are all leaders in their fields in the Chicago Market. We are also excited about moving our North American Headquarters to the Village of Grayslake, and I would like to thank Mayor Rhett Taylor for his assistance with moving our project forward,” said OCM Inc. president Andy Cramer. “This project is a historic milestone in the 100-year history of OCM Inc. and Okabe Inc. Upon completion of this project, OCM Inc. will have the opportunity to further expand our business in the concrete forming and accessory business all over North America.”
“The Okabe building is an example of how an industrial building can be as innovative as its tenant,” says PREMIER president Alan Zocher. “We are honored to work with Okabe on this exciting project and, as with each PREMIER project, we are working to deliver our level best design + build experience.”
The Okabe complex will serve double duty as both an office building and distribution warehouse. Building envelope materials will consist of precast wall panels, structural steel, glass curtain walls and a ballasted roofing system.
The office section of the complex will include an inviting lobby, open office space and cubicles, a large conference, private and executive offices, break rooms and plenty of storage space. Other highlights include a showroom, training room, IT office, fitness room and coffee bar. Okabe associates will enjoy class A amenities and a new facility that is as beautiful as it is utilitarian.
The distribution section of the new build will feature 10 exterior docks, three truck dock positions and two drive-in doors. The company parking lot will have more than 200 parking stalls.
“Because PREMIER employs some of the greatest project management and field talent, we were able to put together an exceptional team to bring this vision to life,” a PREMIER spokesperson said.
Vice-president Mark Melone is overseeing the project, Chris Kiziak is the senior project manager and John Semenek III is the superintendent from PREMIER Design + Build Group, LLC. Cornerstone Architects, Ltd. is providing architectural services while Swift Structural Design Ltd. and Manhard Consulting Ltd. are delivering engineering support. Colliers International and Cushman & Wakefield Inc. are the brokers. Bridge Development Partners, LLC is the developer behind the project.
