Link Logistics CEO Unpacks Industrial Real Estate Demand Drivers on NYSE Podcast
Link Logistics CEO Luke J. Petherbridge sat down with NYSE’s “Inside the ICE House” podcast for a conversation on the state of industrial real estate in a dynamic economy, what sets last-mile warehouses apart and how Link Logistics is positioning for the decade ahead. Lance Glinn, head of Podcasts, NYSE and Intercontinental Exchange, hosted the discussion.
Petherbridge said current industrial market conditions are defined by “balanced optimism.” “Diversified, multifaceted demand” is building across e-commerce, advanced manufacturing, infrastructure investment and broader economic growth, Petherbridge said—all set against near-decade-low new supply.
Why Last-Mile Warehouse Locations Are in Demand
Last-mile warehouses sit at the center of that demand picture. Infill locations closest to the end user are hardest to develop, creating a supply constraint that favors established owners. With roughly half a billion square feet of infill-focused warehouse space across more than 40 North American markets, Link Logistics is built around that dynamic.
Petherbridge highlighted that the firm’s scale creates both a data and insights edge and flexibility for customers of all sizes. Eight thousand Link Logistics customer relationships generate a constant stream of intelligence on where demand is heading, which markets are growing and how to deliver a best-in-class experience for customers. “When we talk to our customers—big or small—we can offer many different solutions in many different markets,” Petherbridge said.
Demand for last-mile warehouse space is being driven in part by rising consumer expectations for faster delivery, Petherbridge also noted. Approximately 90 percent of Americans now live within an hour of an Amazon facility, up from roughly 60 percent five years ago, he said.
Automation, Electrification and the Future of Industrial Properties
As automation and electrification take hold across the supply chain, customers are increasingly looking to their real estate partners for industrial buildings equipped to handle greater power needs, a trend Petherbridge sees accelerating. “We’re looking at how autonomous vehicles … and robotics play into the supply chain over the next five years,” he said. “Facilities will need more power and newer features, and making sure we’re ahead of that is something we’re very focused on.”
How Link Logistics Is Using AI
Petherbridge and Glinn also discussed how Link Logistics is applying AI across customer engagement and process automation while accelerating data-driven insights. “AI is a people enhancer—it allows you to be the smartest version of yourself while keeping emotional intelligence and critical thinking at the center,” Petherbridge said.
Watch the full episode below.
