Natalie Keith

SOUTHFIELD, MI-Signature Associates-Oncor International hasacquired Nexcom LLC, a move that increases the firm's presence inthe Western Michigan market. The acquisition marks Signature'scontinued efforts to expand in the region. In September 2003, thecompany announced a partnership with East Lansing-based AboodProperties Inc. that expanded the company's presence in the Lansingarea. In June 2002, the company formed a partnership withToledo-based Zyndorf/Serchuk LLS and acquired Kalamazoo-basedCallander Woollam & Britigan. The Western Michigan is indeedseeing activity that other Detroit-area cities are lacking.According recent numbers released by Grubb & Ellis, both theoffice and industrial markets have showed continued improvementduring the past two years. Vacancies in the office market droppedfrom 19.7% in the second quarter of 2004 to 17.1% in the thirdquarter of 2005. Vacancies in the Western Michigan industrialmarket also dropped from 8% in 2004 to 7.2% in 2005.

"Strategically, this was an ideal opportunity to extend ourstrength in the active West Michigan market," says Steven Gordon,president of Signature Associates. "We knew Nexcom from ourexisting West Michigan operations and were impressed with theirwork ethic and commitment to clients."