Harmon Family History

CUSTOM DRIVEN BUSINESS APPROACH

The Harmon family businesses satisfy commercial customer needs with a comprehensive approach utilizing six areas of expertise. The areas include project development, warehousing and distribution management, building construction and renovation, brokerage sales and leasing, property management and project financing.

The six areas of expertise are centered in the three Harmon companies of NAI Harmon Group, Spartan Logistics, and Logan Creek Construction Company. Customers experience a one-stop solution by working with seasoned professionals in determining cost effective, integrated results.

FIRM HISTORY

Ed Harmon founded Spartan Logistics in 1988 in Columbus, Ohio. Spartan originated as a warehouse and distribution provider to service a growing industrial base while taking advantage of a prime, central location. The growth in the company’s services began when Spartan added a trucking fleet, additional staffing, and enhanced system capabilities allowing the company to provide seamless pick-up, storage, product handling, and customer delivery. Warehouse management and inventory control software enhanced Spartan's capabilities to provide a full range of state-of-the-art billing, electronic data transmission, label generation, and online tracking capabilities. Today, Spartan Logistics operates 21 locations with 350 employees and operates over 4 million square feet of warehouse space strategically placed throughout Ohio, Indiana, South Carolina, Missouri, Texas, Arkansas, Kentucky, Georgia, and Tennessee. 

Logan Creek Construction Company was started in 1999 in Oregon, Ohio as the second of the Harmon Family businesses. The intent was to service existing clients’ building and renovation needs. The company’s focus has been to design, build, and construct facilities that satisfy client needs. These needs involve either the client owning the building or the client entering a long-term lease with the facility being owned by outside investors. Customer niches include automotive manufacturing, food-grade materials, glass, paper, and high value products

The desire to create a “one-stop shop” to more efficiently serve commercial and industrial clients was the driving force behind the Harmon family’s venture to create Industrial Developers LTD which began in 2013. This addition enabled the Harmon Family businesses to provide additional services to our customer base: development, brokerage (including sales and leasing), property management, and project financing. To expand this venture, in January 2016, Industrial Developers LTD joined NAI Global and became NAI Harmon Group. This affiliation with NAI Global has allowed the company to expand its real estate presence to a global level. NAI Harmon Group is the leading commercial real estate brokerage, property management firm, and land developer based in Northwest Ohio. Currently, NAI Harmon Group lists and manages a diverse portfolio of commercial property across the U.S., with nearly a half billion dollars invested nationally in Commercial Development across 14 states. Since then, the Harmon family businesses have grown and currently own and manage over 7,400,000 SF of light manufacturing and distribution centers.

THE HARMON PROCESS

As all three companies have been built in a way to support each other, aligning their core values and tailoring solutions to meet the client's needs is the first step in the Harmon Process. While the needs of an industrial client can vary greatly, the sales process often begins with a manufacturer coming to Spartan Logistics in need of a warehousing solution. Executives throughout the Harmon businesses then work with the customer in assessing their needs. Potential solutions can include a new build-to-suit, a current facility expansion, a takeover of a customer facility, and more. Key points are discussed in determining benefits, capabilities, location, method of financing, lease versus purchase, costs, and timetable.

Logan Creek Construction is then engaged; obtaining drawings, subcontractor bids, and permits to either renovate an existing facility or construct a new one. Logan Creek will then use a combination of national subcontractors and local labor. This process ensures consistent quality, cost control and adherence to timetables.

Once the building is complete, Spartan’s experienced management is well positioned to provide the high-quality 3PL service of a national logistics provider at costs that add value to the client’s supply chain. NAI Harmon continues their involvement working through leases if needed and providing property management services.

In conclusion, the collaboration between Spartan Logistics, NAI Harmon Group, and Logan Creek Construction illustrates a comprehensive and tailored approach to meeting the diverse warehousing needs of industrial clients. From the initial assessment of requirements to the detailed construction process, each phase is managed with a focus on delivering optimal solutions that align with the companies’ values and the client's objectives. The integration of national and local expertise ensures not only superior quality and cost-efficiency but also adherence to project timelines. Ultimately, the Harmon Family Businesses stand ready to build client relationships, reinforce their commitment to adding value, and supporting their operational success.