Atmos Energy Corporation, Amarillo, Texas
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Analysis
Atmos Energy Corporation, a distributor of natural gas, retained The Amend Group to assist in locating and securing an existing facility to be utilized as a customer service call center. Atmos intended to consolidate its customer service operations into one centralized call center location that would encompass between 25,000 and 30,000 square feet and would accommodate up to 160 employees.
Outcome
The Amend Group consolidated operations into a single facility within eight months to meet organizational deadlines and determined the best location through comprehensive demographic profiles of Amarillo, Texas; Lubbock, Texas; Midland-Odessa, Texas; Denton, Texas; and Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Amend Group evaluated sites based on the required parking ratio, telecommunications, power, HVAC, security, and support of a 24-hours/7 days a week operation. Finally, The Amend Group evaluated and secured economic incentives to offset capital expenditures and assist with employee training.
Despite the challenge of creating a competitive environment with the limited availability of suitable facilities, The Amend Group strategically produced leverage among competing cities in addition to competing landlords. This was accomplished in part by keeping Atmos' identity concealed throughout the process to make it more difficult for landlords to identify the competition. The results included substantial lease concessions and rental rates below $10.00 per square foot. In addition, a $1.2 million dollar unrestricted incentives grant was received from the city that was used to fund the initial capital costs of the facility.
The Amend Group's integrated project management system provided Atmos the ability to design space in the primary facility while negotiations were still underway, which led to important last minute concessions. The Amend Group completed construction for Atmos on time and within budget.