In this episode of The Real Finds Podcast, host Gordon Lamphere sits down with Scott Robinson, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at Plymouth Industrial REIT and Director & Professor at NYU's Schack Institute, to discuss the rapidly evolving industrial real estate market and how investors can strategically position themselves for success in 2025 and beyond.

After a historic slowdown in total transaction volume, industrial real estate is now seeing a resurgence in acquisitions. However, while investor interest is returning, liquidity challenges, rising energy costs, and shifting logistics trends mean buyers, sellers, and investors must rethink their approach.

🏗️ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ The Industrial Real Estate Rebound – The past two and a half years saw a significant drop in total transaction volume as market uncertainty and rising interest rates stalled deals. Now, with more clarity and appetite for acquisitions, industrial real estate is finally seeing a comeback.

✅ Liquidity Crunch & The Buyer-Seller Gap – Why are sellers stuck in 2022 pricing while buyers recognize that today’s liquidity market has changed? Is the gap starting to close, or will capital constraints continue to slow transactions?

✅ E-Commerce & Logistics Growth – With Amazon, Walmart, and Target expanding their last-mile operations, how will continued e-commerce demand affect industrial leasing and investment strategies? Will smaller, more flexible spaces see the biggest demand?

✅ Tariffs & Trade Policy – With potential tariff increases and reshoring initiatives, could U.S. industrial real estate benefit from global supply chain shifts? How are manufacturing trends influencing warehouse demand, and which markets stand to gain the most?

✅ Energy Costs & Property Resilience – Rising energy costs are becoming an overlooked but major factor for industrial property owners. How can investors mitigate risk and future-proof properties against rising operational expenses?

✅ The Shift to Smaller Industrial Spaces – Investors are moving away from mega-warehouses and focusing on smaller, multi-tenant industrial buildings (sub-100,000 sq. ft.). Why is this trend gaining traction, and what opportunities does it create?

✅ Technology & Robotics in Industrial Real Estate – Automation and AI are transforming logistics operations. How can industrial property owners ensure their buildings remain competitive in a tech-driven future?

✅ Technology & Robotics in Industrial Real Estate – Automation and AI are transforming logistics operations. How can industrial property owners ensure their buildings remain competitive in a tech-driven future?

📚 Scott’s Book Recommendation: Watch That Rat Hole by Ken Campbell – A deep dive into the history of REITs and how they have shaped the commercial real estate industry over the past several decades.

📩 Want to connect with Scott Robinson?

📌 Find him on LinkedIn and X (Twitter) or reach out via NYU

🔥 If you're serious about industrial real estate investing, this episode is a must-listen! Subscribe for more insights from top real estate experts, investors, and market analysts.

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