Porte Brown, Elgin firm merge

ELK GROVE VILLAGE — Accounting and consulting firm Porte Brown LLC has recently merged with Borhart Spellmeyer & Company LLC of Elgin. Terms of the merger were not announced. The merger extends Porte Brown’s presence in the Northwest suburban market and builds the depth of accounting and advisory services available to clients, the firm said in a release. Borhart Spellmeyer staff will operate under the Porte Brown name and will continue to service clients in their current office located near the I-90/Randall Road corridor. Founded in 1989 by Len Borhart and Robert Spellmeyer, Borhart Spellmeyer has offered a wide range of financial, accounting and consulting services to closely held businesses and their entrepreneur owners within the Fox Valley and extended Chicago communities. “This is a great opportunity to bring together some of the best multidisciplinary professionals in our field and leverage their talents to the advantage of our clients,” said Bruce Jones, managing partner of Porte Brown.

AEK signs lease for new HQ

BELVIDERE — NAI Hiffman recently represented Aaron Kendell Packaging Equipment in the signing of a 4-year industrial lease at 3575 Morreim Drive in Belvidere. The company, a distributor of used packaging equipment, is relocating from 1010 Sesame Street in Franklin Park, where it is expanding its shop. The landlord, Venture One, offered the ability to move in immediately along with the ability to purchase the property over time. In addition, the property’s lower operating costs and low tax base provided AEK an incentive to move to the new location. Larry Much, SIOR, executive vice president of Industrial Services at Oakbrook Terrace-based NAI Hiffman, represented AEK in the transaction.

Landmark nets 2 leases

SCHAUMBURG — Landmark Partners office advisory division completed two new lease transactions in Schaumburg totaling 19,682 square feet of office space. Vice President, Ron Roberti represented airline and workforce lodging logistics company Travelliance in leasing 12,654 square feet at 1900 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg. The Landlord, Sovereign Partners, was represented by Mark Smith of CBRE. Senior Broker Trip McDonough represented Roberson & Associates, a technology and management consulting company serving government, commercial and academic customers, in leasing 7,028 square feet at 1900 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg. The Landlord, Sovereign Partners, was represented by Mark Smith of CBRE.

‘Side by side’ strategy starts

LINCOLNSHIRE — Camping World Holdings has launched its “side by side” business strategy with the signing of a deal to acquire Ketelsen Campers of Colorado in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Camping World will actively seek opportunities to acquire quality dealerships with strong management, brand recognition and a solid customer base in markets where Camping World has an existing presence. The acquired businesses will continue to be operated by Camping World under the legacy name. “With our ‘side by side’ strategy we will actively pursue opportunities in our existing markets over the next few years to expand market share, grow our database and add additional distribution points for our Good Sam portfolio,’’ said Brent Moody, Chief Operating Officer of Camping World and Good Sam.