Oct 24, 2023
Rockford, Ill. — Imperien, the construction advocacy firm in Rockford, Illinois, is proud to celebrate its fifth anniversary, reflecting on a remarkable journey of growth and accomplishments. Co-founded by PE Colin Simpson, the company has gained a prominent reputation for its expertise in project management, due diligence, design-build, and construction advocacy.
Imperien was established with a vision to provide comprehensive construction advisory services to clients seeking to optimize their construction projects. Since its inception, the firm has made significant strides in the industry, providing clients with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate the complex world of construction.
“We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone. Imperien’s success is a testament to our team’s dedication, unwavering commitment to quality, and our clients’ trust in our services,” Simpson said. “From project management to due diligence and design-build solutions, we’ve strived to be the industry’s foremost experts.”
Imperien’s specialization in project management has been a driving force behind its growth. The firm’s experienced project managers oversee every aspect of a construction project, ensuring that it stays on time and within budget while maintaining the highest quality standards.
Furthermore, their expertise in due diligence has allowed clients to make informed decisions when entering into construction projects, minimizing potential risks and enhancing project feasibility.
Simpson emphasized the firm’s commitment to providing creative and innovative solutions.
“Our services have allowed clients to have tailor-made construction solutions that meet their unique needs. This personalized approach has been a significant factor in our continued success.”
Over the past five years, Imperien has been involved in a wide range of projects, including advising and designing for the international expansion movement for Bruschi USA; designing and overseeing the historic opening of the Rock River Valley Blood Center’s new donor center; and providing logistics solutions to Hands of Hope, a nonprofit connecting Illinois food banks statewide. Most recently, Imperien announced a partnership with Clarius to design a spec development in Zion, Ill. Imperien’s endeavors have earned them a reputation as a trusted partner for construction advocacy services. Their client-centric approach, commitment to excellence, and adaptability to evolving industry standards have played pivotal roles in their achievements.
As Imperien looks to the future, Simpson and the entire team are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.
“We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished. We are committed to continuously improving and expanding our services to better serve our clients as we move forward,” Simpson said.
Sep 25, 2023
Imperien is set to design and build a $65 million spec development at Trumpet Industrial Park in Zion, Ill., with a groundbreaking expected to take place in early 2024.
The half-million square-foot cross dock facility will be primed for large logistics operations, with water, sewer and all other utilities completed.
Imperien President Colin Simpson pursued the property following a 15-county search for undeveloped sites that would be ideal to develop in close proximity to the Chicago market.
Learn more about why he decided to take on this venture and what it took to get the property primed for development.
What motivated you to take on a spec development in Trumpet Industrial Park and what specific business objectives did you aim to achieve with it?
We wanted to join the top tier development market in Chicago. We’re a small business and our name isn’t necessarily recognizable in Chicago, so part of our growth strategy is realizing the potential of these untouched properties and seeing them through to development.
Every developer in Northern Illinois knew about the Trumpet Industrial Park. We, however, were able to deploy our strengths — our attention to detail, our relationships, and our ability to dedicate resources to challenging projects – and make this development a reality. We made a deliberate choice to prioritize complexity over volume, a strategy not typically pursued by larger developers. We see the value in projects like this one that require meticulous attention. For the Trumpet Industrial Park, we embarked on two years of hard and complicated work to take this project to where it is today. This proof of performance should be seen in the Chicago real estate market as Imperien’s dedication and potential. Not only have we been able to grow our business because of this due diligence, but we’re also spurring economic development.
What are some of the biggest challenges you faced in getting this project off the ground and how did you address them?
We could talk for a long time about the technical challenges of delving into development agreements, including sorting through 20 years of land agreements, and other legal agreements swirling about. We had to get to the bottom of all of that. We had to do entitlements and site plannings, and all of the other technical things.
Ultimately, though, we are small. While that’s been a challenge in entering the competitive Chicago market, we think that’s our strength. Our small business size is a unique advantage that allows us to excel in due diligence and elevate customer service to exceptional levels.
What has been the biggest benefit of the project for Imperien, and how do you measure its impact?
This was an enormous risk. This was an enormous expense. But we expect enormous gains.
When we took on the Trumpet Industrial Park, we considered an incredibly detailed cost benefit analysis. The time, the money, and the complications we could run into made up an extensive list. However, the benefits we could reap as a company, but also on behalf of the city of Zion, outweighed those concerns.
Seeing this project through to the end gets us a seat at the table and will establish ourselves as one of the leaders in the Chicago industrial real estate market.
The area around the Trumpet Industrial Park is ripe for other development. Can you describe the built to suit opportunities?
We have 300 acres of additional land available for industrial development that’s immediately adjacent to Trumpet Industrial Park. That property is located in close proximity to in-demand industrial parks within Southeast Wisconsin and the Chicago region. Union Pacific rail is directly accessible, and the site is approximately three miles from the I-94 and Russell Road interchange and immediately adjacent to Illinois 131.
If you’re interested in a built to suit opportunity, please give us a call. We’d love to discuss the potential this property could have for your business.
What is your long-term vision for Imperien and how do you plan to achieve it?
We entered this business because we saw a lot of bad actors in the construction industry, ones who did not necessarily have the best interest of their clients. We saw a need in the industry to mitigate risks, save time and money, and advocate for efficient services so our clients can grow and expand their businesses.
As we look to expand our own business, our ultimate goal is to be well-known in the Chicago market as the go-to construction advocacy firm and development partner. We believe we’re smart, savvy, and innovative enough to stand out in this market. It’s part of our strategy with Trumpet Industrial Park to get a seat at that table.
Colin Simpson founded Imperien in 2018 to directly deliver the representation services clients deserve. Colin spent much of his career managing construction projects on behalf of owners including municipal government.
Contact Colin today to learn more about how Imperien’s services could help your company grow.
Oct 14, 2022
Construction management firm Imperien has announced longtime area tradesman Jamie Musick has joined its team.
Headquartered in Rockford, Ill., Imperien relies on Musick as it assists with all stages of the industrial business expansion process — from stay, build and relocate analysis to design and construction management.
A union carpenter for 20 years, the new role has Musick overseeing field operations, managing subcontractors, protecting the budget and maintaining the schedule. His longevity in the field gives him the experience he needs to be a primary client advocate throughout the consturction process, making sure field issues are solved before they expose the owner to unnecessary risk.
“I know what it takes to work in the field,” he said. “I’ve been on the other side of the table, so now I look forward to figuring out how I can help the field be more efficient.”
Musick began working in residential construction but spent most of his career on commericial projects throughout northern Illinois. He most enjoys being able to find creative solutions to problems.
“I really enjoy working on something that isn’t run-of-the-mill,” he said. “I like a project that gives me the chance to solve a problem.”
For more information about Imperien and the suite of services it offers to protect a customer’s interest during the business expansion process, visit Imperien.com.
Contact us to learn more about how to build the most efficient facility for your manufacturing process and how we can help improve your bottom line.
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