DETROIT—An increasing number of real estate companies are on the lookout for merger opportunities that can help them tap into national networks. Southfield, MI-based Farbman Group, and Bloomfield Hills, MI-based Forum Group, for example, recently formed a joint venture in which Forum will become part of Farbman's family of companies. As a result, Forum, a brokerage and consulting firm, will gain access to the company's NAI Global network and augment Farbman's practice in tenant representation and corporate services.

“We are thrilled to welcome Forum Group as a new partner of Farbman Group,” says Andrew V. Farbman, chief executive officer of Farbman. “Their team of industry heavy-hitters is recognized as the best at what they do, and we look forward to a bright future moving forward together as a combined real estate powerhouse leading the marketplace by maximizing our shared deep expertise in commercial brokerage, consulting and investment services.”

The Forum Group's principals, Thomas D. Lasky and Michael Ziecik, will become principals of the newly formed Forum Group Real Estate Advisors, a NAI Farbman Company. The group's established partnerships in strategic planning and location consulting, workplace design and project management, as well as its in-house brokerage, consulting and investment business, will become a part of the venture.

“We saw a great opportunity to further leverage our unique consultative approach to client service along with Farbman Group's extensive global network and great reputation,” says Lasky. “We know that this relationship will greatly benefit our existing client base and enable us to achieve growth in new markets due to their unmatched depth of resources. Our organizations share the same approach to value-based client services, building and maintaining strong relationships and an unwavering commitment to solving real estate problems with experience and superior knowledge.”