Fortune 500 Tech Data Corp Adds Almost 50 To Miami Logistics Center

By Sherri C. Ranta
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Fortune 500 firm Tech Data Corp., a worldwide supplier of computers and related products and services for IT resellers, expanded its Miami operations last week with the opening of a 314,000-square-foot logistics center.

The expansion allows the company to upgrade its logistics capabilities and position itself for growth, said John Sternal, manager for Tech Data corporate communications, headquartered in Clearwater.

The expansion from about 232,000 square feet in two buildings at Beacon Centre to a 22-acre, company-owned facility at 2200 NW 112th Ave.

also saves the company money in the long term, he said. The new center is a block from Florida’s Turnpike and the Dolphin Mall.

Tech Data first opened shop in Miami in 1993 at Beacon Centre industrial park at 8323 NW 12th St.

About 150 people, Mr. Sternal said, work at the Miami logistics center, which doubles as the headquarters for the company’s Latin American division. Tech Data Senior Vice President and President of Latin America Yuda Saydun has offices here.

"This new facility," Mr. Saydun said, "provides excellence in execution in the way we serve our customers, both in the continental United States and in Latin American and Caribbean regions."

Tech Data has no plans at this time to add people to its Miami workforce, Mr. Sternal said.

"It depends when we grow into the full space."

Founded in 1974, Tech Data is ranked 117th on the Fortune 500 and employs about 8,000 people worldwide. The company and its subsidiaries serve more than 100,000 technology resellers in the US, Canada, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. Company reports show Tech Data generated sales of about $17.2 billion for fiscal 2001.

"We’re the middle man between the large technology vendors," Mr. Sternal said, "and the smaller computer resellers. We help smaller computer outfits with inventory and help the vendors reach the customers."

In addition to Miami, Tech Data has logistic centers in Georgia, Indiana, New Jersey, Texas, Sao Paulo, Toronto, Vancouver and France.

George Pino, sales associate with Codina Realty Services, said space vacated by Tech Data is re-leased to two Miami tenants. Freight forwarder 3PL of The Americas will occupy 139,000 square feet at 8501 NW 17th St., and GSI of Miami-Dade County will occupy 93,000 square feet on a month-to-month lease at 8350 NW 23rd St.

3PL of The Americas, he said, vacated space at Costa Park and doubled the square footage when the company leased space at Beacon Centre. GSI, a logistics company at the Port of Miami, will use the space for storage, Mr. Pino said.

The 2.3-million-square-foot Beacon Centre industrial park, owned by AMB Property, a real estate investment trust, is about 97% occupied, he said.

"We’re extremely happy to do month-to-month leases," Mr. Pino said. "It allows us to generate cash flow and at the same time to sign long-term leases if that comes along."