CBRE Group to Acquire Industrious, Create New Business Segment

Rhea-AI Summary

CBRE Group has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Industrious National Management Company, a flexible workplace solutions provider, and create a new business segment called Building Operations & Experience (BOE). CBRE will acquire the remaining equity stake for approximately $400 million, reflecting an enterprise valuation of about $800 million. The company already holds a 40% equity interest and a $100 million convertible note in Industrious.

The new BOE segment, which will generate approximately $20 billion in combined revenue in 2024, will be led by Industrious CEO Jamie Hodari. Since 2021, Industrious has shown impressive growth with revenue increasing at a compound annual rate of over 50%, expanding to more than 200 units across 65+ cities. The transaction is expected to close this month and be immediately accretive to 2025 core EBITDA and free cash flow.

Positive

• Immediate accretion to 2025 core EBITDA and free cash flow
• Industrious' revenue growth at 50%+ CAGR since 2021
• Combined BOE segment revenue of $20 billion in 2024
• Expansion of service portfolio to 7+ billion sq. ft. global property management

Negative

• Significant capital outlay of $400 million for remaining equity stake
• Integration risks of merging different operational structures

Insights

M&A Analyst

The $800 million Industrious acquisition represents a strategic pivot for CBRE, consolidating its position in the flexible workplace solutions market. The deal structure, combining the conversion of existing investments with a $400 million cash payment for the remaining equity, demonstrates financial prudence. The immediate accretive impact on core EBITDA and free cash flow signals strong value creation potential.

Industrious' 50% compound annual revenue growth since 2021 and asset-light business model focusing on partnership agreements creates a compelling synergy opportunity. The integration into the new BOE segment, managing over 7 billion square feet of global property portfolio with $20 billion in combined revenue, positions CBRE to capture significant market share in the evolving commercial real estate landscape.

Real Estate Market Analyst

This acquisition marks a transformative shift in the commercial real estate services industry. The creation of the Building Operations & Experience (BOE) segment signals CBRE's recognition of the fundamental changes in how commercial spaces are managed and monetized. By consolidating property management, facilities management and flexible workplace solutions under one umbrella, CBRE is positioning itself to capitalize on the growing demand for integrated, technology-enabled building operations.

The strategic importance lies in Industrious' proven expertise in workplace experience and operations, particularly important as traditional office usage patterns continue to evolve. Their expansion to 200+ locations across 65+ cities demonstrates the scalability of their model and validates CBRE's investment thesis in the flexible workplace market.

Corporate Strategy Expert

The restructuring into four distinct business segments - Advisory Services, BOE, Project Management and Real Estate Investments - represents a sophisticated organizational design that aligns with evolving market demands. The appointment of Industrious' CEO Jamie Hodari to lead BOE while taking on the Chief Commercial Officer role suggests a strategic focus on innovation and commercial growth.

The timing of this acquisition and restructuring is particularly noteworthy as it positions CBRE to capitalize on the secular shift in commercial real estate operations. By integrating Industrious' innovative approach with CBRE's global scale and resources, the company is creating a powerful platform for future growth in building operations and workplace solutions.

• New Building Operations & Experience (BOE) segment to deliver end-to-end building operating solutions at a global scale
• Industrious CEO and co-founder Jamie Hodari to join CBRE as CEO, BOE & Chief Commercial Officer
• Chief Operating Officer Vikram Kohli promoted with added role as CEO, Advisory Services

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE: CBRE) today announced a definitive agreement to acquire Industrious National Management Company, LLC, a leading provider of flexible workplace solutions. In conjunction with the acquisition, CBRE will create a new business segment called Building Operations & Experience (BOE). This new segment will unify building operations, workplace experience and property management, positioning CBRE to deliver scalable, future-ready solutions for offices, data centers, warehouses and other facilities. The transaction is expected to close later this month.

Since late 2020, CBRE has invested in Industrious through an approximately 40% equity interest and a $100 million convertible note. The company will acquire the remaining equity stake for approximately $400 million, reflecting an implied enterprise valuation of approximately $800 million. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to 2025 core EBITDA and free cash flow. The acquisition underscores CBRE’s strong conviction about Industrious’ expertise in workplace experience and operations and the long-term growth prospects for the flexible workplace market.

Industrious is known for its pioneering asset-light business model that emphasizes partnership agreements, which drive alignment with property owners. Since 2021, Industrious’ revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of more than 50%, and its footprint has grown to more than 200 units across over 65 cities. Its industry-leading customer outcomes are the result of an ongoing investment into understanding what makes for a great workplace, paired with continuous operational improvement.

The new BOE segment will be led by Jamie Hodari, Industrious’ chief executive officer and co-founder, and will consist of CBRE’s Enterprise Facilities Management, Local Facilities Management, Property Management and Industrious. This segment produced approximately $20 billion of combined revenue, including Industrious, in 2024 and comprises CBRE’s entire 7+ billion sq. ft. global property and corporate facilities management portfolio.

CBRE Chief Operating Officer Vikram Kohli has been promoted and taken on increased responsibilities. He now has the additional title of CEO, Advisory Services, with responsibility for driving growth for CBRE’s largest business segment, which spans leasing, capital markets and valuation activities. As Chief Operating Officer for CBRE, Kohli will drive company-wide strategy and ensure the company is taking maximum advantage of opportunities to collaborate, realize efficiencies and achieve positive synergies across business segments and key platform functions.

“The advancements we’ve announced today support our strategy of investing in resilient businesses that benefit from secular tailwinds, creating new and differentiated products and continually improving the capabilities of our leadership team,” said Bob Sulentic, CBRE’s chair and chief executive officer.

“Both Jamie and Vikram are highly accomplished executives. Jamie is creative, entrepreneurial and a strong strategic and operational leader. Vikram has exceptional leadership skills that include driving growth across geographies, keen financial and digital insight and a deep knowledge of our global business.”

“The global economy needs physical spaces to make it hum — safe and efficient logistics centers for our goods, magnetic offices for our teams and secure and resilient data centers for our information. Running these spaces with excellence requires sophistication at scale,” said Hodari. “I have found CBRE to be second-to-none in this respect, and I’m thrilled to be joining — not just because of how great it already is, but because of the opportunity ahead of us. I believe the new Building Operations & Experience segment will transform how buildings are operated, creating immense value for building users and owners.”

Hodari will also act as CBRE’s Chief Commercial Officer, with responsibility for marketing and branding activities across all CBRE businesses.

With today’s announcement, CBRE’s four business segments for 2025 will be: Advisory Services, Building Operations & Experience, Project Management and Real Estate Investments. The company will provide historical financial results under the new segment structure in a supplemental non-GAAP disclosure when it announces fourth-quarter 2024 earnings.

About CBRE Group, Inc.

CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBRE), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Dallas, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm (based on 2023 revenue). The company has more than 130,000 employees (including Turner & Townsend employees) serving clients in more than 100 countries. CBRE serves a diverse range of clients with an integrated suite of services, including facilities, transaction and project management; property management; investment management; appraisal and valuation; property leasing; strategic consulting; property sales; mortgage services and development services. Please visit our website at www.cbre.com. We routinely post important information on our website, including corporate and investor presentations and financial information. We intend to use our website as a means of disclosing material, non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Such disclosures will be included in the Investor Relations section of our website at https://ir.cbre.com. Accordingly, investors should monitor such portion of our website, in addition to following our press releases, Securities and Exchange Commission filings and public conference calls and webcasts.

About Industrious

Industrious delivers the world’s best workplaces by making the office a welcoming, empowering, and delightful experience. From private offices to suites, meeting rooms, and desks, Industrious makes it easy to find a workspace that works for just about anyone – whether they come in just a few days a week, want the flexibility to work from more than one location, or need a full HQ. Founded in 2012 and recognized as one of America’s 500 fastest-growing companies by Inc. Magazine, Industrious offers flexible workplaces at more than 200 locations in over 65 cities globally. For more information, visit industriousoffice.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the statements in this release regarding the acquisition of the remaining interest in Industrious National Management Company, LLC and the creation of a new Building Operations & Experience (BOE) business segment that do not concern purely historical data are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are made based on our management’s expectations and beliefs concerning future events affecting us and are subject to uncertainties and factors relating to our operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, actual performance, results and events may vary materially from those indicated in forward-looking statements, and you should not rely on forward-looking statements as predictions of future performance, results or events. Numerous factors could cause actual future performance, results and events to differ materially from those indicated in forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the further growth of the flexible office space market and Industrious’ ability to execute its strategy to capitalize on this growth, and CBRE’s ability to establish the new BOE business segment and to benefit from synergies among the business lines that comprise this segment, as well as other risks and uncertainties discussed in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. For additional information concerning factors that may cause actual results to differ from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements and other risks and uncertainties to our business in general, please refer to our SEC filings, including our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and our most recent quarterly filings on Form 10-Q. Such filings are available publicly and may be obtained from our website at www.cbre.com or upon request from the CBRE Investor Relations Department at investorrelations@cbre.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250114319444/en/

Chandni Luthra

CBRE-Investors

Chandni.Luthra@cbre.com

Steve Iaco

CBRE-Media

Steven.Iaco@cbre.com

Jamie Hodari

Industrious

press@industriousoffice.com

Source: CBRE Group, Inc.

FAQ

What is the total value of CBRE's acquisition of Industrious?

The total enterprise valuation is approximately $800 million, with CBRE acquiring the remaining equity stake for approximately $400 million.

How much revenue will CBRE's new BOE segment generate?

The new Building Operations & Experience (BOE) segment is expected to produce approximately $20 billion of combined revenue in 2024.

What is Industrious' growth rate since 2021?

Industrious has grown at a compound annual rate of more than 50% since 2021, expanding to over 200 units across 65+ cities.

When will CBRE's acquisition of Industrious close?

The transaction is expected to close later in the same month as the announcement.

How will the Industrious acquisition affect CBRE's financial performance?

The acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to CBRE's 2025 core EBITDA and free cash flow.