Industry News

Facilities management provider Aramark has expanded with four major acquisitions in the past year. Clinical technology services business Premier Inc. was acquired by Aramark, increasing opportunities to provide managed services at heath-care institutions, including the management and maintenance of clinical equipment. Aramark also purchased Fine Host Corp., which added over 900 locations to Aramark's client roster, ranging from convention centers to prisons to stadiums.

Austin-based Client Outsource Corp. will open a 125-seat call center in Bombay. The center will serve information technology and hardware companies in Austin and Silicon Valley that need a minimum of 25 call center seats.

The Montgomery County Department of Economic Development expects to break ground on the $2.5-million Silver Spring Innovation Center in summer of 2003. The free-standing 20,000-sf Silver Spring business incubator will house 12 to 15 companies. The facility will be ready for occupancy approximately six months after construction begins.

Pixar Animation Studios has selected DPR Construction to implement Pixar's Emeryville expansion. The Pleasanton office of DPR is initiating site work for the second facility on the 14-acre campus; Pixar's first studio on the site was also constructed by DPR. The 125,000-sf building is slated to break ground next spring. Pixar is seeking approval for further expansions that could bring its Emeryville facilities up to 800,000 sf.

CB Richard Ellis will acquire Insignia Financial Group in a $415-million transaction, creating the largest real estate services company in the world. With $1.8-billion in revenue and over 16,000 employees, the service company will have a broader gauge and provide global service at a more efficient price. CB Richard Ellis is based in Los Angeles.