Big two put focus on China.

Representatives of CB Richard Ellis' Industrial Services platform recently traveled to Shanghai, China to experience firsthand the world's second largest industrial port.

Cushman & Wakefield, meanwhile, announced that business development professional, Simon, Smith has been appointed regional chief operating officer for its Asia Pacific sector.

The group of 40 CBRE professionals and leadership, of specialized professionals dedicated to meeting the fast-paced needs of the distribution industry on a multi-market basis, traveled to Shanghai from May 18 to May 23. CBRE's Greater China offices in Shanghai, Hong Kong, GuangZhou, Beijing and Tianjin joined the group and played host.

"Shanghai is one of the world's busiest ports and the largest cargo port in the world," said Jim Dieter, head of CBRE's Industrial platform in the Americas and leader of the delegates on the trip. "Shanghai has also kept a growth rate of over 20% in the last three years, so its significance as an industrial port will only continue to grow. It is important for our professionals that specialize in global logistics to see and experience the significant ports across the globe. Our clients expect us to visit and know these strategic global marketplaces."

The extensive agenda included the professionals visiting a number of Shanghai's industrial parks and ports, including Prologis Park Lingang, a logistics park founded in 2005, which covers an area of three square kilometers to serve the Yangshan, and the Yangshan Deep Water Port. Yangshan, a reclaimed island the size of 470 soccer fields in the East Sea, is designed to accommodate the world's largest container ships at half the mooring charges, handle 15 million 20-foot boxes by 2010 and compete with Hong Kong and South Korea's Busan as northern Asia's main transshipment harbor.

"In the last few years, China has allowed international logistics companies to operate in their own right throughout the country, opening the doors to firms such as FedEx, UPS, DHL, Toll and TNT," said Andrew Hatherley, CBRE's executive director of Industrial and Logistics Services for Greater China. "These companies have high cost efficiencies in many areas--including the demand for Grade A logistics buildings--which has created opportunities for international developers like ProLogis, AMB, Goodman International and Gazeley, as well as quick-thinking local companies."

The appointment of Cushman and Wakefield's new man Smith is the latest development in the firm's regional strategic growth initiative. Based in Hong Kong, Smith will be responsible for the firm's corporate infrastructure systems throughout Asia Pacific and he will lead the integration of acquisitions made around the region as the firm continues to grow and expand.

Michael Thompson, chief executive officer, Cushman & Wakefield Asia Pacific said: "Cushman & Wakefield Asia Pacific's rapid growth, expanding client base and highly regarded service delivery platform continue to attract the best professional talent in every area, and Simon is a prime example of that exciting trend for our firm."

John Santora, global chief operating officer, Cushman & Wakefield added: "The expansion and diversification of our operations in Asia Pacific is moving quickly and will do so increasingly, requiring quality management support for our firm's ambitious plans in the region. Simon Smith is a key addition to Michael's team in managing this fast-forward growth and in producing greater efficiencies for clients and shareholders."

Prior to joining Cushman & Wakefield, Smith was senior business development manager, Asia Pacific, for Aliens Arthur Robinson (AAR), a leading international law firm in the region. He was formerly with global telecoms group Cable & Wireless in London and was seconded to Hong Kong Telecom in 1996.