Though the sector faces challenges today, the demand for distribution center, warehouse and industrial space remains solid. And as consumers continue to order everything from drugs and groceries to electronics and appliances online, this trend is showing no signs of lessening.
That was the big takeaway from the Chicagoland Supply Chain, Distribution, Logistics and Industrial Summit held by Chicago Industrial Properties Oct. 8 at Maggiano’s Little Italy in Oak Brook, Illinois.
A big crowd gathered to hear the top names in the Chicago-area industrial market discuss the state of the sector in late 2025. The good news? While the sector isn’t booming as it did during the days of the pandemic, it is still strong. Companies still need distribution and warehouse space. The manufacturing side of the sector is solid, too, as efforts at reshoring manufacturing to the United States continue.
Panelists were concerned about the threat of tariffs, the challenge of continually high construction costs and the struggles developers often face in finding land for new industrial developments. But the consensus? The industrial sector in Chicago remains one of the strongest in the nation. And that’s not about to change anytime soon.
Opening the session was the Market Trends in Industrial Real Estate: The Owner/Broker Perspective, Overview panel featuring Mason Awtry, Chief Executive Officer, Wurkwel, who served as moderator; Noel Liston, Managing Broker and Founder, Core Industrial Realty; Christine Choi Moore, Market Officer, Midwest Region, Dalfen Industrial; Robin Stolberg, Executive Director of Acquisitions, Clear Height Properties; and John Joyce, Managing Director, SVN Chicago Industrial.
Another highlight of the event was the Developer Perspective, Building It Today & Tomorrow panel featuring Neal Driscoll, Partner, Midwest Region, Dermody; Jason Cebulski, P.E., Senior Project Manager, JACOB & HEFNER ASSOCIATES, INC.; Howard Green, Executive Vice President, Meridian Design Build; Werner Brisske, AIA, ALA, GGP, Principal, Partners in Design, the panel’s moderator; and Jake Finley, Founder and CEO, KARIS Industrial.
