irst Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: FR), a leading provider of industrial real estate supply chain solutions, has significantly expanded its development platform to meet rising customer demand for distribution centers and other industrial facilities being driven by the long-term growth in international trade, shifting demographics, and supply chain reconfiguration.
      As the trend towards global supply chains forges ahead, manufacturing and distribution patterns continue to evolve. This evolution requires companies to seek faster, more efficient logistics solutions with industrial space remaining a key component. Companies are becoming progressively more sophisticated in striking the right balance between customer service, total production and delivery costs, and risk management as they refine their supply chains to meet the changing needs of their business.
      To help its customers optimize their supply chains, First Industrial has increased its development activity and grown its landholdings for future development. First Industrial had more than half a billion dollars of development starts in 2007.
      And since the end of 2004, the Company has expanded its land bank from 700 acres to more than 5,000 acres, or more than seven times, which can support 85 million square feet of development.
      2007 saw First Industrial add to its broad platform by opening its first international offices in the following leading logistics centers: Canada – Toronto, Calgary and Edmonton, and Western Europe – The Netherlands and Belgium.
      The Company also expanded its domestic footprint in the Seattle/Tacoma region, a growing alternative port market with a rising population, by purchasing more than 300 acres.
      First Industrial is focused on creating best-in-class, vertically-integrated supply chains for customers involving all major transportation modes.
      For more information, visit www.firstindustrial.com.