TSF Sportwear was about to move into its large, new distribution facility in Bessemer, Alabama, when the company was acquired, resulting in the sudden vacancy of a large warehouse. Numerous other firms began jockeying to sublease the modern new facility located off Lakeshore Parkway in an area that has recently emerged as a logistics/warehouse distribution hub.
One of the firms hoping to backfill the space was Royal Switchgear Manufacturing Co. This locally based, specialized manufacturing firm produces equipment found in every substation that is part of an electrical grid, including substation and transmission group-operated disconnect switches, hookstick disconnects, and substation power connectors. Royal’s products are used to control, protect and isolate electric current in an electrical system.
The 187,200-square-foot industrial building at 4251 Turin Drive had been custom-built for TSF Sportwear. The sportswear company was planning to occupy the building when it was acquired by another firm, S&S Activewear. This led to the consolidation of operations in Atlanta and left the new building fully available as sublet space.
Royal Switchgear had been actively looking in the market for space to expand its operations and was close to securing a different location in the Bessemer area. However, the deal for that location fell through at the last minute, leaving Royal Switchgear scrambling for an alternative.
Mark Byers and Deborah McGill Smith of Cushman & Wakefield / EGS, and Tripp Alexander of Colliers, worked collaboratively to navigate complexities and time pressure. Negotiations required swift execution to meet Royal Switchgear's operational timelines and address competition from other prospects already negotiating for the space.
To add to the complexity, the original developer decided to sell the building to a local investor, Barber Companies, when the space was put up for sublease. This required the brokers to adjust their ownership engagement and negotiation strategies.
Despite all the complications, the three brokers brought the deal to a successful conclusion. For their role in accommodating Royal Switchgear, which has been based in Bessemer for over a century, and for filling a large vacancy in Birmingham's Southwestern submarket, the deal earned a 2025 CoStar Impact Award for lease of the year as judged by a panel of real estate professionals in the Birmingham market.
About the project: The Bessemer warehouse is located about 15 miles southwest of Birmingham off of I-20. In early 2024, Birmingham-based Barber Cos. purchased the facility from Graham & Co. for $17 million. Situated along the Lakeshore Parkway corridor, the rear-load warehouse features 32-foot clear heights and 31 dock-high doors. Other industrial tenants located nearby include FedEx, Dollar General, Amazon and Lowe’s Home Improvement.
What the judges said:
"The absorption of a large vacancy of newly constructed space had a major impact on the market. This lease along with the recently announced Community Food Bank project builds momentum in this growing industrial submarket," said Matt Rowan, Valuation Analyst with Colliers.
They made it happen:
The Royal Switchgear lease was brokered by President Mark Byers and Vice President Deborah McGill Smith at Cushman & Wakefield/ESG Commercial Real Estate, who represented the sublandlord. Director of Industrial Services Tripp Alexander, Director of Industrial Services and Senior Associate Joa Azar at Colliers represented the subtenant.
Costar Market Manager Paul Puccinelli contributed to this report.