HOUSTON-A growing number of Transwesternclients operating in international markets ultimately led to thelocally based company seeking out – and finding – an internationalpartner to help meet those clients’ needs. The commercial realestate unit of BNP Paribas became that partnerbecause of familiarity with the French company in adeal announced earlier this week.

“We did talk to and considered a number of alternatives, butwhen doing work oversees, our people have worked with the BNPleadership over an extended period of time,” comments COOMark Doran who with Transwestern West Coastpresident George Garfield, is overseeing the jointventure on the US side. “They offered diversified capabilities,they were synching up well with us and their geographical reach wasa great fit for our expansion,” Doran adds.

Before the joint venture was formalized, if Transwestern clientsrequired international assistance, the company handled it throughnon-exclusive arrangements with worldwide companies. Doran andGarfield tell GlobeSt.com that the need for asingle-source relationship withTranswestern clients is hugelyimportant, especially as those clients continue to have more realestate dealings throughout Europe and Asia. By the same token,BNPRE's clients are becoming more activein the States. “This givesus an exclusive arrangement, one that’s more tightly wound in termsof a cultural fit, and more seamless for the clients,” Garfieldsays.