DETROIT—An increasing number of real estate companies are on thelookout for merger opportunities that can help them tap intonational networks. Southfield, MI-based FarbmanGroup, and Bloomfield Hills, MI-based ForumGroup, for example, recently formed a joint venture inwhich Forum will become part of Farbman's family of companies. As aresult, Forum, a brokerage and consulting firm, will gain access tothe company's NAI Global network and augmentFarbman's practice in tenant representation and corporateservices.

“We are thrilled to welcome Forum Group as a new partner ofFarbman Group,” says Andrew V. Farbman, chiefexecutive officer of Farbman. “Their team of industry heavy-hittersis recognized as the best at what they do, and we look forward to abright future moving forward together as a combined real estatepowerhouse leading the marketplace by maximizing our shared deepexpertise in commercial brokerage, consulting and investmentservices.”

The Forum Group's principals, Thomas D. Laskyand Michael Ziecik, will become principals of thenewly formed Forum Group Real Estate Advisors, a NAIFarbman Company. The group's established partnerships instrategic planning and location consulting, workplace design andproject management, as well as its in-house brokerage, consultingand investment business, will become a part of the venture.