Manufacturing Trends to be Thankful For in MN

Manufacturing Trends

2014 Predictions in the Manufacturing Industry

Manufacturing Trends to be Thankful For is an article we read this morning in the online publication of Industry Week. All of us, in MN or the Midwest for that matter, who are either in the manufacturing industry or have close ties to the manufacturing industry, are eager to see what the days of 2014 will bring. According to this article, “Favorable Forecast: Five Manufacturing Trends to Be Thankful For” by John Mills as published in Industry Week (online), 2014 might just prove to be year for which to be thankful!

According to the article, the following are the top five trends to watch this year:

  1. Improvements in 3-D printers
  2. Business returning from China
  3. More ‘real-time’ enterprises
  4. The rise of the project economy
  5. More access to data

As Mills states, “no one has perfect foresight” and it certainly would be nice if we did! However, in the meantime, by measuring trends and current data available, we are optimistic for our colleagues in the manufacturing industry. We hope 2014 results in the optimistic forecast, as it benefits not only MN, ND, WI, IA, SD, MT in the Midwest, but our great nation as well!

APPRO Development is a general contractor specializing in property solutions for manufacturers across the Midwest for more than 27 years. APPRO assists business owners find optimal property solutions that may result in renovations, expansions, additions or new commercial buildings to meet the ever changing needs of the manufacturing industry in Lakeville (55044), Apple Valley(55124), Burnsville(55337), Eagan(55123), Hastings(55033), and all of Dakota, Scott, Rice, Carver, Ramsey and Hennepin counties as well as Mankato and surrounding communities of Blue Earth in Minnesota. If your commercial or industrial space needs are changing as the result of a great 2014, contact our team today to help you minimize impacts to your manufacturing schedule, meet your budget requirements, and assist you in making 2014 a great year!

Solar Energy – A Good Idea?

Solar Energy – The Pros and Cons of Alternate Materials in Commercial Construction

Image Source: Wikimedia, 2014 – Solar Panel Installation

A Solar Energy incentive program (Made in Minnesota Solar Incentive Program) for both residential and commercial buildings recently came to our attention. Upon being asked our opinion of the program, a lively discussion ensued in the offices of APPRO and CERRON surrounding the use of environmentally friendly materials and sustainable energy resources.

APPRO & CERRON both work diligently to provide the best product at the best price for each of our customers – whether building new or remodeling existing. We work a lot in our neighborhood here in the Airlake Industrial Park which is comprised of many small businesses focused on the industrial and manufacturing industries.

Over the past few years, APPRO has brought forward energy efficient design ideas and alternate material types and equipment that enhance energy savings in response to public sentiment for more environmentally friendly buildings. We have found the LEED certification process cumbersome and not as cost effective as we may be lead to believe initially. We have strived to find a balance between energy savings that provide payback to you as a building owner and ways that reduce the initial start-up costs of construction.

In our experience, as we competitively bid out new projects, we have found that some “green” or LEED certified materials make a lot of sense to incorporate in to a project to cut costs (e.g. insulation). While the use of other materials might only make sense to fulfill a PR objective or to enhance marketability, the incorporation of those materials may not make sense from a business perspective.

As a Minnesota based design-build general contractor, APPRO is aware of the solar incentives available and are more than happy to discuss the pros and cons of working this into your next building project. We create property solutions for you and with you – how may we help you today?

MN Snow Day – Fun Friday!

MN Snow Day – Fun Friday Facts

MN Snow Day - Do Not Try this at Home Kids… DO NOT try this at home! (Picture Source: A Christmas Story, 1983)

Well, Gov. Dayton has officially declared Monday a “Snow Day” for all schools in the state of Minnesota. So, even though our state’s snow day is due to extremely cold temperatures predicted, around here at the offices of APPRO and CERRON, we wanted to share some of our own snow day fun links:

Top 11 Super Cool Snow Sculptures

12 Face Freezin’ Snow Creations

So, whether you are in the office burning the midnight oil or working from home this coming MN Snow Day, the entire Team at APPRO and CERRON wish you a very Happy, Warm & Safe Snow Day, as we start off the New Year!

P.S. Our offices will be open for business – we are a hearty bunch of Minnesotans after all!!

 

Lakeville Manufacturers Appreciation Reception 2013

This Year’s Lakeville Manufacturers Appreciation Reception Was the Best!

Mayor Little & Adam K at Manufacturers Reception 2013 - photo by APPRO Development Mayor Matt Little and Adam Kienberger, Economic Development Specialist announce awards from the prize drawing

The APPRO and CERRON team had the opportunity to attend the annual Lakeville Manufacturers Appreciation Reception this year, and found it to be the best in many years (if not ever)! We sincerely appreciated the opportunity to connect with many of our local neighbors; some we have known for years, and some we met for the first time. Every time we attend the event, we learn something new and that is what makes it so much fun! The businesses in Lakeville are doing some amazing things.

This event is hosted by the City of Lakeville, and was sponsored by MN Energy Resources, Xcel Energy, Frontier and Dakota Electric. This invitation only event was held at the Holiday Inn in Lakeville, MN, just off of I-35 and Kenrick Avenue, on Tuesday, October 22, 2013. In attendance were City of Lakeville staff, City Council Members, Economic Development Commission members, and a diverse representation of the manfacturers & businesses in the Lakeville community. The event is held to celebrate Manufacturers Appreciation Week (October 20-26, 2013). According to the City of Lakeville’s website, “Lakeville has over 3,100 manufacturing jobs amongst 150 businesses. Thank you to all of our manufacturers for being a part of Lakeville’s business community!”

Just shy of 40 companies attended this event and engaged in some great networking and recognition of the manufacturers in our community. If you were considering attending and just didn’t have the opportunity, we urge you to try to make it out to next year’s event. Great reason, great food, great people – you can’t go wrong!

We are grateful to continue our 26th year as a part of this great Lakeville community! If you are Manufacturer in Minnesota and would like to discuss a possible project, give our team a call. We are happy to answer any questions you may have!

 

Top Ten MN State Fair Foods

 

The MN State Fair Starts Thursday, August 22nd and there is a whole lot lined up!

fairfood review by APPROIt is Minnesota State Fair time and it is really all about the food, right? I mean the Miracle of Birth barn is pretty cool and the Blue Ribbon winning Holstein is interesting, as is the latest 4-H exhibit or the music blaring from the bandstand. But, when it comes down to it – we go for the food!

This year, 2013, just when you thought they couldn’t possibly figure out a way to get one more food on a stick or come up with something else new, our local Twin Cities’ restaurants & resident “foodies” have come up with some amazing new foods to test and savor.

 

So, here is my Top Ten Food List I plan to eat (or try for the first time) at the 2013 Great Minnesota Get Together:

10. Chocolate Chili Ice Cream (sweet, spicy, hot, cold, yum!)

9. Candied Bacon Cannoli (anything with bacon!)

8. Fried Pickles and Chocolate (because my kids dared me)

7. Grilled Glazed Donut (anything on the grill!)

6. Dough-sant (the cousin of the NY “Cro-nut” – a hybrid of doughnut and croissant)

5. Comet Corn (A futuristic caramel corn made with liquid nitrogen – because it’s cool!)

4. Bacon-wrapped grilled shrimp on a stick (because it’s on a stick!)

3. MinnePumpkin Pie (a hometown treat)

2. Persian Kabob Koobideh (to expand my horizons)

1. Cheese Curds (why mess with a tried and true classic!?)

 

To review the full list of new foods in 2013 at the MN State Fair, click on the following link to see all the new foods at the fair: 2013 MN State Fair Food List.

And, for details on visiting the MN State Fair, click HERE, to link to the dates, times, fees, and discount information to make your day great!

At APPRO and CERRON, we are proud to be a Minnesota company, providing property solution services across the Midwest. Don’t just take a chance on bumping into each other while we are testing the latest food on a stick; Do the “sure thing” and give us a call. Let us show you how we put all that energy to work for you and what makes our team different. Now, go enjoy the MN State Fair!

LAND FOR SALE IN SOUTH METRO MN

Lots for Sale at Airlake Creekside Business Park by CERRON Land for sale in south metro, MN seems to be on the rise as APPRO Development, Inc. and CERRON Commercial Properties have seen a recent increase in land sales in the past year. This is not only a positive sign for the economy but for developers, land owners, and businesses alike. APPRO and CERRON have the latest information on commercial real estate MN.

In the past year, our group sold a 14.31 acre parcel on the south side of County Road 70 (215th Street West) and Highview Avenue. We also sold a lot in the Creekside Business Park located just off of the north side of County Road 70 (215th Street West) and Humboldt Court and are in the midst of a metal building project on this site for our client, which can be found on our Project Page.

CERRON has additional land listings available in the South Metro, and all indicators suggest now is the time to invest in land. Take a look at the following Land for Sale, to see if these might be a fit for your group:

1. JJT Business Park: This is a great site just off of Hwy 3 and County Road 42 in Rosemount, MN. The 36 acre site includes rail access and is zoned for manufacturing, distribution, office warehouse, and professional office buildings. With just 17 miles to St. Paul and less than 5 miles to Hwy 52, this is an ideal site for a variety of uses.

2. Bank Owned Industrial Land: This site located on the south side of County Road 70 and Highview Avenue, Lakeville, includes 10.14 platted acres with I-2 zoning for general industrial. This is a pad ready site with rail access via spur, outside storage permitted, and near Lakeville Airport.

3. Creekside Business Park: This site located just off County Road 70 on Humboldt Court, has just three three (3) lots remaining. Remaining lots range from 1.46 acres to 1.78 acres with outside storage permitted and great visibility – all located in MN’s second largest industrial park – Airlake Industrial Park, Lakeville, MN.

This is just a sampling of some of our land for sale in South Metro MN, with more land listings available HERE.

If you have commercial property you would like to sell, please contact our team to learn more about what makes CERRON’s commercial property services the best in the industry, in order to get your property sold at the best price in the least amount of time!

Imperial Plastics New Building Project Breaks Ground in Mankato MN

Imperial Plastics New Building Project Breaks Ground in Mankato MN

Imperial Plastics Groundbreaking Norman Oberto, Owner of Imperial Plastics, address the crowd of approximately 50 gathered for the ceremony.

APPRO Development, Inc. and CERRON Commerical Properties, LLC are pleased to announce the official Imperial Plastics New Building Project Breaks Ground in Mankato MN on Thursday, August 1, 2013. Surrounded by family, employees, City of Mankato staff & board, Greater Mankato Chamber, financial, legal, real estate, building, architectural and accounting professionals, Imperial Plastics’ owner, Norman Oberto, greeted the crowd and shared his vision for not just this new additional location for his business, but for the growth of his company. Mayor Anderson, City Manager, Pat Hentges, APPRO and CERRON’s Jack Matasosky, and Jonathan Zierdt from the Greater Mankato Chamber rounded out the ceremony with words of esteem and gratitude at the occasion of the start of a new building in the City of Mankato’s Eastwood Energy Center.

This 124,368 square foot building will be the fourth, and largest, facility for Imperial Plastics in Minnesota. CERRON, commercial real estate broker, helped to secure the site for Imperial and APPRO is the acting design build contractor for this new and exciting project.

  • More details of the building project can be found on APPRO’s Current Project Page, HERE (includes many more pictures of groundbreaking & current progress at this building site).
  • Read more about this project in the Mankato Free Press, by linking, HERE.
  • To learn more about Imperial Plastics, you may visit their website by linking HERE.

APPRO Development, Inc. and CERRON Commercial Properties, LLC have been assisting clients like Imperial Plastics for more than 25 years, across Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. If you have been thinking about adding onto your existing building, need to make some small updates or changes, or are thinking about building a new facility – our team of experts is here to help. To get the ball rolling, you may contact Jack Matasosky at office@approdevelopment.com to discuss your unique situation.

Click on any of the photos below to enlarge.

Jack Matasosky, APPRO Development & CERRON Properties with Jonathan Zierdt, Greater Mankato Chamber President Jack Matasosky, APPRO Development & CERRON Properties with Jonathan Zierdt, Greater Mankato Chamber President

Lunch Reception at Imperial Plastics Groundbreaking, August 1, 2013 Lunch Reception at Imperial Plastics Groundbreaking, August 1, 2013

APPRO Development & CERRON Commercial Properties Groundbreaking in Mankato, MN Norman Oberto joined by APPRO, CERRON, Mankato Mayor Anderson, Council Member Karen Foreman, Kristin Prososki, and Tim Lidstrom

Greater Mankato Chamber Cerificate Presentation to Norman Oberto of Imperial Plastics Greater Mankato Chamber Cerificate Presentation to Norman Oberto of Imperial Plastics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A special thank you to the Greater Mankato Ambassadors for attending this event and also for sharing photos taken at the groundbreaking event (most of which can be found on this and our blog page). To learn more about the Greater Mankato Growth Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development, you may click HERE to access their website.

Lakeville Industrial Warehouse Building Expansion Project Breaks Ground

APPRO Development as design build general contractor at QA1 Groundbreaking

Groundbreaking at QA1, Lakeville, MN with APPRO and CERRON

Lakeville Industrial Warehouse Building Expansion Project Breaks Ground with APPRO Development and CERRON Commercial Properties helping QA1 to celebrate an official groundbreaking for the addition of a 17,200 sq. ft. warehouse. The new addition will expand their existing space to accommodate QA1’s growing business.

The entire QA1 team was joined by a few of the APPRO and CERRON team members to participate in the official groundbreaking ceremony. Everyone at QA1 is looking forward to the added space this new expansion will provide. More information about the ceremony can be found on QA1’s news page by clicking on the following link: QA1 NEWS. Additionally, if you are interested in learning more about QA1, located in Lakeville, MN, you may visit their website at: www.QA1.net.

Looking for more information or ideas for your growing business? Feel free to contact our design team for a no obligation appointment to discuss your needs and ideas.

 

MN Warehouses Are Under Attack

“MN Warehouses Are Under Attack”, according to Jonathan Lamb, president of Lake Superior Warehousing Company, Duluth, “describes the new 6.875% service tax on Minnesota warehouses that, barring repeal, will take effect April 1, 2014.”

This legislation has the potential to have a significant impact on many industrial businesses AND service providers. “Our members are deeply concerned about the potential impact of this new business sales tax on their tenants who provide third party warehousing services, businesses which operate with slim margins and compete across state lines with similar service providers in nearby states with lower overhead costs, such as Wisconsin,” she said. As a result, “The Minnesota Warehouse Association is taking no chances. According to Hausladen, his members are moving ahead, drafting legislation to repeal the tax, which it plans to introduce at a “launch event” July 30 at the Radisson Hotel Roseville.”

Learn more about this activity in this morning’s MN Real Estate Journal published article, “11th HOUR ANTI-COMPETITIVE WAREHOUSING TAX: A BIG LOSER FOR OWNERS OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES…AND FOR MINNESOTA?”, by Stephanie Wolf, NAIOP Minnesota.

Fourth of July in Lakeville, MN

4th of july in Lakeville MN picture of flag-fireworksFourth of July in Lakeville, MN

Fourth of July week is here! At APPRO and CERRON, we are lucky to work in the great community of Lakeville, MN. Lakeville’s Panorama of Progress (“Pan-O-Prog”) is celebrating its 47th year this year July 4th through the 14th. There is a lot going on this year so don’t miss out on any of the fun activities. The enjoyable week starts off with a spectacular free fireworks display the night of the 4th. Included in the fun night is live music by the band CASTAWAYS, temporary tattoos, clowns, and concessions. Don’t miss out on any of the festive events!

Other great events include:

  • A fishing tournament, Saturday, July 6th at 6:00 a.m. at Casperson Park
  • Baby Crawl-a-thon, Tuesday, July 9th at 10:00 a.m. at the Heritage Center
  • Miss Lakeville Scholarship Pageant, Wednesday, July 10th 6:00 p.m. at Lakeville South High School
  • Beer brats and bingo, Thursday, July 11th 5:00 p.m. Lakeville arts center
  • Fun Fair Friday, July 11th-13th from 12:00 noon – 10:00 p.m. Lakeville area arts center parking lot
  • Classic car cruise, Friday, July 12th 6:30 pm downtown
  • Grand parade, Saturday, July 13th 5:30 pm downtown
  • Babe’s tent dance, 8:00 p.m. on Saturday night.

Hope to see you there!

(Additional information on festivities can be found at Pan-O-Prog.)

APPRO and CERRON will be closed Thursday, July 4th and Friday, July 5th in observance of the Fourth of July holiday.

APPRO Development, Inc. has been providing property solutions to our local Lakeville community for more than 25 years! Contact us if you need help finding the perfect property solution in MN or ND.