In a rapidly evolving real estate market, staying informed is more crucial than ever. On March 18th, 2025, a riveting webinar was hosted by Westcliff Asset Management, featuring insights from Simon Reddish of Durum Capital. This event, part of the “Thrive in 25” series, focused on industrial real estate and its potential as a lucrative investment opportunity. Below, we delve into the key themes and insights shared during the session.

An Introduction to Westcliff Asset Management

Kaz Jaffer, co-host of the webinar, kicked off the session by introducing Westcliff Asset Management. Westcliff’s business strategy revolves around three core elements: Learn, Invest, and Manage. With a profound commitment to investor education, Westcliff offers a variety of resources, including podcasts and webinars. The company’s strategic partnership with Waverly Corporate Finance allows them to cater to accredited and eligible investors looking for tailored investment opportunities.

Meet the Speaker: Simon Reddish of Durum Capital

Simon Reddish, a key figure at Durum Capital, joined the discussion to shed light on the company’s shift towards innovative and value-driven investments. With a diverse background in asset management and development, Simon emphasized Durum’s creative approach to uncovering investment value where others might not.

Understanding Industrial Real Estate

The discussion transitioned to a broader overview of industrial real estate. Simon highlighted that industrial properties, encompassing everything from distribution facilities to manufacturing sites, are foundational to our everyday lives. Each click online to purchase a product typically involves industrial facilities at some stage—from manufacturing to shipping. These properties generally involve long-term leases (5-15 years), offering stability and predictability for investors.

The Durum Capital Landscape

Durum Capital is characterized by its diverse fund offerings, including an Industrial REIT focusing on Canada’s Prairie Provinces, Durum Developments, a Carbon Fund, and an Opportunities Fund. Each offers distinct opportunities and challenges. Simon touched on the competitive nature of acquiring industrial sites, particularly post-COVID, and the impact of macroeconomic elements like tariffs on their investments.

The Durum Approach to Investment

Simon detailed Durum’s investment principles, highlighting their focus on tenant creditworthiness and the physical characteristics of the properties. Recent acquisitions, like a notable one in Edmonton, demonstrate Durum’s strategic approach. These acquisitions often involve improvements designed to enhance property value and tenant satisfaction, indicative of Durum’s hands-on strategy to add investor value.

The Future of Industrial Real Estate with Durum

Looking ahead, Durum Capital aspires to grow significantly, driven by its focus on the Prairie Provinces, which offers higher yields compared to markets like Toronto or Vancouver. This strategic geographic focus, combined with Durum’s commitment to creating value through capital improvements and opportunistic acquisitions, positions them uniquely against other market players.

Conclusion: The Westcliff and Durum Collaboration

As the webinar wound down, Kaz and Addy of Westcliff reiterated their commitment to empowering investors through education and strategic partnerships. For those interested in exploring more about these exciting investment opportunities, Westcliff offers several ways to engage—from podcasts to their online community.

For inquiries or a copy of the webinar slides, Westcliff can be contacted via text at 647 799 2264 or through email at info@westcliffam.com.