April 9th, 2024, Sealy & Company held a company-wide call recapping the successes of 2023, acknowledging the performance of our team as a collective group, and reinforcing the key priorities for 2024. The call was led by Eric D Marx, COO of Sealy & Company who facilitated the discussion with Scott P. Sealy Sr, CEO and Chairman, Mark P. Sealy, President and CIO.

2023 emerged as a year marked by notable successes across various fronts for Sealy & Company. Our firm remained focused on our commitment to risk mitigation, value creation, and strategic execution of our business plan to further fortify our position in the market. Valuable talent acquisitions helped continue our growth, strengthened the organization, and were a major key to success in 2023. Scott P. Sealy Sr., CEO and Chairman of Sealy & Company, expressed confidence in the firm’s resilience despite challenges encountered throughout the year. He highlighted the instrumental role played by disciplined approaches, robust information systems, and collaborative teamwork in navigating the complexities of the market. Mr. Sealy also relayed that the company’s strategies continue to receive strong backing from banking institutions, partners, and market players, all of which remain confident in Sealy & Company’s direction.

Our strategic moves in 2023 and previous years have positioned the firm for continued growth in the future. Notably, the firm implemented and will continue to pursue a near-term, low-to-no leverage strategy, effectively managing risk amid an uncertain macro environment. “Sealy continues to capitalize on our expertise in identifying quality assets that perform well over cycles,” added Mark P. Sealy during the call. Additionally, the focus on investment quality and the identification of attractive, risk-adjusted opportunities reaffirms our commitment to long-term value through the market cycle.

The trio then spent time discussing the industrial real estate sector and significant trends. While demand absorption experienced a decline compared to the previous year, market rents remained robust, reflecting ongoing strength in the sector. Scott P. Sealy Sr. said, “The market has shifted but friction is our friend. Less competition means more opportunities. Hopefully, banking capacity and interest rates will become more favorable in 2025.” He also highlighted the normalization of the market, noting that despite challenges, the sector continues to present ample growth opportunities, particularly driven by secular trends, such as the increase in e-commerce activity and the resurgence of United States manufacturing.

Sealy & Company’s COO, Eric D. Marx, described our organization’s approach as “strategically aggressive”, meaning we clearly understand the market dynamics and have a proactive stance toward opportunities. By comprehensively assessing each of our portfolio’s vacancies specifics, understanding the competitive landscape, and gauging demand depth, our firm ensures optimal decision-making tailored to current market conditions.

As we look ahead to the rest of 2024, Sealy & Company’s focus remains on driving success through day-to-day operations. The importance of individual roles contributing to collective objectives is vital for the accomplishment of long-term goals. “Each of us has our unique role and position with our own goals and objectives. Our roles drive toward our bigger collective objectives and successes. It is imperative that we tackle our objectives with a sense of urgency and raise our hands when there are potential opportunities for efficiency or when issues arise. Great things are never done by one person, they are done by a team,” Marx concluded. With our strategic framework and keen eye on market fluctuations, Sealy & Company continues its commitment to delivering value to our stakeholders while navigating the evolving landscape of industrial real estate.