If there has been a bright spot for the commercial property sector during the pandemic period, it has been the strength of the industrial market.

The need for people to stay indoors has accelerated the use of e-commerce across the globe, with logistics services experiencing increased demand as people complete their shopping online.

Technology has been central to the shift, not only for consumers but also for agencies navigating the new normal. 

Sydney’s Industrial Zone Real Estate has benefitted from an in-depth view of trends within the sector since adopting Surga Central’s enquiry capture technology 18 months ago.

The family-owned and operated business, which is based at the heart of the Western Sydney growth corridor at Padstow, has also used Surga Central to build its website and assist with its sales and leasing.

A product of Adept Business Systems, Surga Central provides digital marketing solutions for commercial property agencies, such as enquiry capture data collected from sites such as realcommercial.com.au.

Source: Industrial Zone Real Estate

Industrial Zone Real Estate Marketing Executive Jennifer Raso said the holistic nature of the enquiry capture data had been “very beneficial” for the company.

“Anybody can pick up a file and know where an agent is up to and what level of enquiry they have had,” she said.

“Being able to keep in contact with our clients and having everything monitored through Surga definitely makes it easier for us.

“We have to keep up with the standards set in the industry, now more than ever.”

Ms Raso said she expected the strong demand for industrial assets to be sustained going forward.

“Sales have actually increased for us,” she said.

“People are seeing they are better off investing in commercial property because it is seen as a more reliable option.

“There will always be a place needed for people to work in, or for storage.” 

Owner enquiry reports are generated automatically in Surga Central. Source: Surga Central

Surga Central CEO Steve Clark said there was a growing need for proptech in the industrial sector.

“People tend to think the office sector would have the most to gain from proptech advancements, but the industrial sector has emerged as a very strong player due to three key strategic factors that the pandemic has fuelled,” he said.

 “Firstly, growth of online purchasing not only increases demand for industrial assets, but the need for fast fulfilment means more warehouses are needed close to population centres – take Western Sydney as a clear example of that. 

"Secondly, border restrictions are causing managers to question the benefits of just-in-time inventory,  and resulting in suppliers needing larger warehouses. 

Finally, the industrial sector is the primary beneficiary of the move to economic nationalism to protect against international supply chain disruption.

"All these forces are attracting shrewd investors to industrial property and the smart industrial agencies are gearing up with technology to ride that wave.”

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