Biggins Lacy Shapiro & Company Expands Midwest U.S. Presence, Hires Michelle Comerford as Industrial & Supply Chain Practice Leader

PRINCETON, N.J., July 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Biggins Lacy Shapiro & Company, LLC (BLS & Co.) announced today the appointment of Michelle Comerford as project director and industrial & supply chain practice leader. Comerford will advise clients on location decisions and incentives strategies, focusing on the manufacturing and distribution sectors. 

"Michelle's deep expertise in the areas of supply chain logistics and advanced manufacturing will further expand our firm's site selection capabilities. As an expert in transportation/logistics cost analysis, she will be a huge asset to our growing Midwest and energy services practice areas – enhancing our ability to serve large-scale industrial projects," said Jay Biggins, executive managing director of BLS & Co.

Specialists in location economics, BLS & Co. provides site selection, incentives advisory, land use and economic development services to clients across the country.

"I'm looking forward to combining my logistics expertise with BLS' incentives capabilities, which will enable us to offer a broad suite of services to specialized manufacturers and distribution operations seeking new locations," said Comerford, who is based in Cleveland, Oh.  "Industry trends, including lower cost energy, 'reshoring' and new product development are adding to an uptick in manufacturing activity across North America."

Previously managing director of Austin Consulting, the site selection practice within The Austin Company (U.S. subsidiary of Japanese construction conglomerate Kajima), Comerford directed clients in evaluating supply chain logistics, location strategy and community/site selection alternatives.  Her clients have included Avon Products, Bimbo Bakeries, Colgate Palmolive, Celebration Foods and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company.

"When manufacturing companies consider new or expanded locations, it is critical to conduct an all-encompassing assessment that reviews variable operating costs, such as transportation and labor, along with available real estate and incentives.  By adding logistics capabilities to the BLS suite of services, we will now be able to offer this type of comprehensive analysis to the firm's clients," added Comerford.

Comerford currently serves on the board of directors and as secretary for the Site Selectors Guild, the only association of the world's foremost professional site selection consultants. She led the Austin Consulting team in the development of the state-wide shovel ready site certification program for the State of Tennessee.  Click here for her full bio.  

About Biggins Lacy Shapiro & Company

Biggins Lacy Shapiro & Company, LLC (BLS & Co.) is a leading location economics consulting firm offering a unique mix of core skills to help companies make location decisions and state and local jurisdictions compete for private sector jobs and investment.  BLS & Co. is distinguished by a multi-disciplinary approach to Economic Development Incentives Advisory Services, Site Selection, Energy Services, and Land Use Strategies and Approvals.  The firm also advises state and local governments and utility companies on business attraction and incentives strategies.  The firm is headquartered in Princeton, NJ, with offices in New York and Chicago.  www.blsstrategies.com

SOURCE Biggins Lacy Shapiro & Company, LLC