John A. Bown, Sr.
Founder
About us
We take a hands-on, long-term, value-add approach to all of our projects.
A TRADITION OF TRUST
FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED
Industrial Investments, Inc. is a multi-generational, family-run owner and operator of primarily warehouse, industrial and flex rental buildings, in addition to developing industrial and commercial properties. Through its affiliated companies, Industrial Investments owns and manages several million square feet of rental space located throughout the greater Delaware Valley region.
FOCUSED ON VALUE CREATION AND PRESERVATION
We specialize in acquiring large industrial facilities from corporations, renovating those facilities and converting them into multi-tenant rental properties. Our portfolio, however, includes a variety of rental space types and sizes, ranging from office-intensive flex space to high bay warehouse space to heavy industrial crane-served space. We also own and manage several retail and office buildings located at some of our larger facilities.
LONG-TERM, PERSONALIZED APPROACH
Our founder, John Bown, Sr., started in the warehouse business back in 1969. Today, more than 50 years later, three generations of the Bown family work together to bring a hands-on, long-term-focused approach to building relationships with our tenants and customers and to providing them with the right space at the right price.
Beginnings
At 12 years old, John Bown, Sr. volunteered to help with loading and unloading household goods for his father’s moving business. After college, John, Sr. works for two major corporations before joining his father’s business full-time. He branches out after his father’s business is sold to start a new public warehousing business with a partner. After several years he is able to acquire his first property, and before long has multiple buildings of his own. Long-time key employee and colleague Henry Wisen plays an important role in helping to rehabilitate and re-position many of those properties. In 1983, after acquiring 15 warehouses, John, Sr. comes across the opportunity to purchase a very large industrial plant.
1983
Formerly known as the Bethlehem Steel Corporation bridge fabrication plant in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, this 1,300,000 square foot heavy industrial property is purchased by John, Sr. in 1983 after being closed for several years. The property is rehabilitated, split into rentable tenant spaces, and brought back to life. Today, the facility is known as the Pottstown Industrial Complex and serves as home to more than a dozen businesses requiring heavy industrial rental spaces, many of which are crane and rail-served. Complex brochure
Mid-80’s through 90's
John, Sr.’s three sons Jay, Rob and Michael, along with Henry’s son Shawn, join the company. Industrial Investments continues to successfully acquire, renovate and operate many warehouse, industrial and flex properties of various sizes throughout the greater Delaware Valley region. These include the purchase in 1995 of the 450,000 square foot former Ford Motor Company plant on the Chester, PA waterfront which was rehabbed and renamed as the Riverbridge Industrial Center, and the purchase in 1998 of the 371,000 square foot former Anchor Hocking bottling plant in Glassboro, New Jersey which was rehabbed and renamed as the Route 55 Industrial Center. Complex brochure
2000
In the 1990s, the U.S. Navy closes the 1,200,000 square foot Johnsonville Naval Air Development Center in Warminster, PA, providing the opportunity for Industrial Investments to purchase this large, multi-building complex in 2000. The company proceeds to renovate and modernize the former military research center and to turn it into the North American Technology Center, a mixed-use business park for multiple businesses. The company later branches out into the retail business, developing the Johnsville Plaza retail complex on a heavily-trafficked corner of the site and attracting retail tenants such as Chick-Fil-A and Chipotle to provide additional amenities for other tenants at the NATC complex. Complex brochure
2010's/Today
John Bown, III (Jay’s son) and Christopher Bown (Rob’s son) join the company, expanding it to the third generation. Today, Industrial Investments continues to operate as a multi-faceted organization with decades of experience in successfully developing and managing multi-tenant warehouse, industrial and flex rental properties. The Bown family continues to work together to explore other new opportunities throughout the real estate industry above and beyond its core businesses. In the words of founder John Bown, Sr., “I have had the pleasure of working with my sons and grandsons to upgrade and revitalize over 4 million square feet of properties. The work is endlessly interesting.”
The team
John A. Bown, Sr.
Founder
John Sr., our company founder, graduated from Lafayette College with a B.A. in History in 1964. He worked for Proctor and Gamble and Merck & Co. in various management positions, while also attending Temple Business School, before entering the public warehousing and industrial real estate business in 1969. After spending approximately 50 years in the business, John A. Bown Sr. presently serves as Senior Advisor to the company. He takes great pride in the success of the business and the legacy he has built with his family. He enjoys traveling with his wife Joan, and watching his sons and grandsons grow the business.
John A. Bown, Jr.
Partner
John A. Bown, Jr.
Partner
Jay holds a B.A. in Economics from Lafayette College and an M.B.A. from Columbia University. After several years of development experience with the Linpro Company, Jay joined Industrial Investments in 1988 and now serves as Partner. Jay specializes in the financial and accounting aspects of our company, as well as serving in new property development and property manager roles. He enjoys boating and fishing with his family and friends.
Robert A. Bown
Partner
Robert A. Bown
Partner
Rob holds a B.A. in English from Lafayette College and a J.D. from Cornell Law School. He joined the company in 1989 after working as a real estate attorney for Reed Smith in Philadelphia and now serves as Partner. Rob focuses on new property and business development and company-wide management duties, and also continues to serve as a property manager and as in-house counsel. He enjoys squash, cycling, fishing and history.
Michael T. Bown, Sr.
Partner
Michael T. Bown, Sr.
Partner
Michael holds a B.A. in Economics and History from Duke University and an M.B.A. in Management from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. After several years as a management consultant at Deloitte & Touche, Michael joined Industrial Investments in 1997 and now serves as Partner. Michael oversees our operations in the New Jersey region, as well as serving as a key advisor in new property development and management roles company wide. He enjoys fishing, traveling and watching his children’s athletic events.
John A. Bown III
Partner
John A. Bown III
Partner
John holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Pennsylvania and obtained his M.B.A. with a concentration in Finance from Drexel University, where he was awarded Beta Gamma Sigma honors. Prior to joining Industrial Investments in 2012, John gained several years of real estate experience with Jackson Cross Partners and Jones Lang LaSalle. John’s responsibilities at Industrial Investments include marketing, leasing, property management, acquisitions, dispositions, and assisting with other financial aspects of the company. He enjoys fishing, cycling, and other outdoor activities with his friends and family.
Christopher W. Bown
Partner
Christopher W. Bown
Partner
Chris holds a B.A in Economics from Franklin and Marshall College and an M.B.A in Real Estate and Finance from the Villanova School of Business. Prior to joining Industrial Investments in 2017, Chris worked as an investment advisor for PNC Investments. Chris’ responsibilities at Industrial Investments include leasing, marketing, property management, administrative and financial aspects of the company, as well as assisting with acquisitions and new ventures. He enjoys traveling, cooking, athletics and squash in his free time with family and friends.
Shawn Wisen
Director of Operations & Tenant Services
Shawn Wisen
Director of Operations & Tenant Services
Shawn joined Industrial Investments in 1986 and now serves as Director of Operations and Tenant Services. Shawn is our company’s main contact person for tenants throughout their lease terms. He manages all construction, renovation and maintenance projects company-wide, and also has overall responsibility for all Industrial Investments maintenance personnel. Shawn enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, and outdoor activities.
Keith Davis
Operations & Tenant Services Supervisor
Keith Davis
Operations & Tenant Services Supervisor
Keith is an Operations and Tenant Services Supervisor for Industrial Investments, where he oversees multiple crews. He ensures that every on-site assignment is accomplished to the highest standard. Keith graduated from Upper Merion High School and then joined the Army National Guard for six years with a dual mission - serving both community and country. Keith's favorite moments are spent outdoors with family. He enjoys fishing, camping and working on vehicles in his free time.