The merger tentatively is slated to close in early October. Theoutcome will create one of, if not the, largest independentvaluation and consulting companies in the world for the real estateindustry. Ben Loughry, a founding stockholder and managing partnerof Integra's Fort Worth and Dallas offices, tells GlobeSt.com thatthe goal is to be a $1-billion company in two to three years.Loughry and Integra's other 10 directors on its executive boardinitially will get two-year terms on Altus' board of trustees.

During Altus' conference call yesterday to discuss the merger,CEO Gary Yeoman told analysts that the Integra merger would be muchlike its others in recent years, with the seller taking a stake inthe company to show its commitment. Both boards unanimouslyapproved the merger plan in recent weeks, clearing the deck for anon-binding letter of intent and the airing of as many details aspossible at this stage. Altus' stock shot up 8.96% to $18.25 perunit by the time the Toronto Stock Exchange closed for the day. Theacquisition will be bundled with cash, equity and bankfinancing.

Altus and Integra have been doing business together since 1999."We know each other. We work well with each other. We like eachother and we have similar interests," Loughry says. "We are takinga significant interest in their company." Integra has 125shareholders.