Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about The Beacon Group's services, processes, and solutions.
About The Beacon Group
What services does The Beacon Group provide?
The Beacon Group provides four core services: Supply Chain & Engineering (material handling systems, warehouse design, automation), Facility Management (building maintenance, property management), Construction & Real Estate (site selection, tenant representation, construction management using our 4Syte™ technology), and Logistics (warehousing, distribution, 3PL services). We offer complete "cradle to grave" solutions for industrial and commercial facilities.
What industries do you serve?
We serve a wide range of industries including e-commerce, healthcare, biotech, retail, industrial distribution, hardware supply, electrical supply, educational supplies, pharmaceutical wholesale, third-party logistics (3PL), plumbing and heating supply, and hard lines distribution. Our portfolio spans multiple business sectors across the United States.
What areas do you service?
The Beacon Group provides services nationwide throughout the United States. We have our corporate headquarters in Haverhill, Massachusetts and a Midwest regional office in Schaumburg, Illinois. We have completed projects across the country from New England to California, including major markets like Chicago, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Columbus, and many others.
How long has The Beacon Group been in business?
The Beacon Group was founded in 2003 and has over 20 years of experience in supply chain, logistics, and facility services. Our team brings decades of cross-functional experience across the fields of supply chain, facilities management, and logistics.
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What makes The Beacon Group different from other material handling companies?
The Beacon Group is one of the few companies in the U.S. that offers all four key service areas - Supply Chain & Engineering, Facility Management, Construction & Real Estate, and Logistics - under one roof. This allows us to provide a true "cradle to grave" solution for our clients' buildings and operations. We combine engineering expertise with construction, operations, and facility management knowledge to deliver practical, integrated solutions.
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Supply Chain & Engineering
What is material handling and why is it important?
Material handling is the movement, storage, control, and protection of materials and products throughout manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, and disposal. It includes systems like pallet racking, conveyor systems, pick modules, sortation equipment, and automation. Effective material handling is crucial because it increases productivity, improves customer satisfaction, reduces costs, and optimizes your supply chain operations.
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How long does a typical material handling project take?
Project timelines vary based on scope and complexity. A simple selective racking installation might take a few weeks, while a complete warehouse automation system with conveyors, pick modules, and sortation equipment could take several months from design through implementation. We work closely with clients to establish realistic timelines and minimize disruption to ongoing operations.
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Do you provide turnkey material handling solutions?
Yes, The Beacon Group provides complete turnkey solutions. We handle everything from initial facility assessment and system design through engineering specifications, equipment procurement, professional installation, and system commissioning. Our team manages the entire process so you have a single point of contact from concept to completion.
Can you integrate with our existing warehouse management system?
Yes, we specialize in systems integration. Our solutions are designed to integrate with existing warehouse management software (WMS) and operations. We have experience implementing conveyor control systems, pick-to-light systems, sortation equipment, and automation that interfaces seamlessly with your current technology infrastructure.
Do you offer warehouse automation services?
Yes, warehouse automation is a key focus area for The Beacon Group. We offer automation solutions including conveyor systems, sortation equipment, pick modules, horizontal carousels, automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), robotics, and AI-powered material handling. Our Senior Vice President of Automation, Matt O'Neill, brings over 30 years of automation industry experience to ensure we deliver reliable, highly efficient solutions.
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Construction & Real Estate
What is 4Syte™ technology?
4Syte™ is our proprietary decision optimization technology developed to improve and streamline the industrial site selection and transaction management process. It consists of two key tools: The NET (Network Evaluation Tool) and the Centroid Tool. Our professionals use this technology to perform C-level financial analysis of every alternative available to customers quickly and accurately, aggregating market data and internal client data to help executives make well-informed real estate decisions.
Do you help with site selection for new warehouses?
Yes, site selection is one of our core real estate services. Using our 4Syte™ technology, we help clients identify optimal locations for warehouse, manufacturing, and distribution facilities. We consider factors like labor availability, transportation access, proximity to customers and suppliers, real estate costs, and regional incentives to find the best location for your operation.
What is tenant representation and why do I need it?
Tenant representation means we work exclusively for you, the tenant, in industrial real estate transactions - not for landlords or developers. Our Managing Broker, Jimmy Yfantopulos, provides tenant-only advisory services from site selection to lease negotiation. This ensures you get unbiased advice focused solely on your best interests, helping you secure the best terms, location, and facility for your needs.
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Do you provide construction management services?
Yes, we provide comprehensive construction management services. The Beacon Group assists clients through the entire "search-plan-design-construct-equip and start-up process." We act as an extension of your company to control risks of cost overruns and missed deadlines. Our services include design and engineering support, permit acquisition, construction management, owner's representation, and facility commissioning.
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Facility Management
What does facility management include?
Our facility management services provide complete building and property maintenance solutions. This includes preventive maintenance programs, critical systems engineering, space planning, energy audits, equipment and asset reviews, inspections and testing, environmental services including water treatment and air quality testing, cleaning and sanitizing programs, and ongoing property maintenance. We provide a single point of contact to solve all your maintenance needs.
Do you provide ongoing maintenance services?
Yes, we offer ongoing facility maintenance services to help clients proactively manage their facilities. Our team provides regular preventive maintenance, emergency repairs, and day-to-day facility operations management. We help you avoid costly breakdowns and maintain optimal operating conditions for your industrial or commercial property.
Can you manage multiple facilities across different locations?
Yes, The Beacon Group has the capability and experience to manage multiple facilities across different geographic locations. Our national reach and proven systems allow us to provide consistent, high-quality facility management services whether you have one location or a portfolio of properties across the United States.
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Logistics
Do you provide third-party logistics (3PL) services?
Yes, we provide comprehensive third-party logistics (3PL) services including warehousing, distribution, transportation, and fulfillment. The Beacon Group acquired List Logistics to expand our 3PL capabilities. We guide companies through the entire process when they decide to outsource logistics operations, offering complete supply chain optimization solutions.
What is the difference between 3PL and warehouse management?
Warehouse management focuses on the day-to-day operations within a single facility - inventory control, order fulfillment, and space optimization. Third-party logistics (3PL) is broader and includes warehousing plus transportation, distribution network management, freight management, and often multiple facilities. 3PL providers like The Beacon Group manage your entire logistics operation, allowing you to focus on your core business.
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Getting Started
How do I get started with The Beacon Group?
Getting started is easy. Contact us at (978) 640-3900 or email info@tbgintl.com. We'll schedule an initial consultation to understand your challenges, constraints, and growth plans. From there, we assemble a multi-disciplined, engineering-focused project management team dedicated to helping you identify, achieve, and sustain specific performance goals. We work hand-in-hand with your team throughout the entire process.
Do you provide free consultations or assessments?
Yes, we offer initial consultations to understand your needs and challenges. Contact us to discuss your project and we can determine the best approach. Our goal is to understand your business first and then offer clear direction - not only to solve today's problems, but to provide guidance for future growth and development.
What information do you need for a project quote?
For an accurate project quote, we typically need information about your current operation, facility dimensions and layout, types of products handled, SKU count, order volume and profiles, storage and throughput requirements, and any specific challenges you're facing. For real estate projects, we need information about your space requirements, preferred locations, timeline, and budget parameters. The more details you can provide, the more accurate our proposal will be.
Do you work with companies of all sizes?
Yes, The Beacon Group works with companies of all sizes - from growing businesses expanding their operations to Fortune 500 companies. Our experience spans startups to major corporations across multiple industries. We tailor our solutions to meet the unique challenges and budget requirements of each client, whether you need a simple racking system or a complex multi-million dollar automation project.
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Still Have Questions?
Our team is ready to help. Contact us today to discuss your specific needs. Contact Us
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