About Us
From One Warehouse to a National Footprint
Becknell Industrial is the national leader in purpose-built industrial real estate development, design & construction and long-term asset management. The company was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in suburban Chicago, with four additional offices located throughout the country. Over its 36-year history, Becknell has acquired or developed more than 248 industrial buildings occupying in excess of 41 million square feet with total capitalization of $4.5 billion.
From Foundation to Future:
The Becknell Story
Becknell Industrial was founded in 1990 when Dan Harrington and Fritz Hartrich (deceased in 2024) partnered to develop a custom warehouse for Nabisco, a client Hartrich had been serving since the 1970s. That first project laid the foundation for Becknell’s enduring commitment to long-term partnerships and purpose-built industrial solutions.
Under the strategic leadership of Dan Harrington, now serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors, Becknell has grown into a national platform that has developed more than 40 million square feet of industrial real estate across 30+ states. This growth reflects Becknell’s disciplined approach to site selection, tenant relationships, and operational excellence.
In March 2026, Clay Thelen was appointed Chief Executive Officer. Becknell continues to benefit from the deep construction expertise and institutional knowledge Dan Harrington helped cultivate—ensuring every project reflects decades of experience and a commitment to quality.
Kraft – Champaign, IL
“We have the restless drive to look for something more in every opportunity and we have the confidence that we will find it.”
— Dan Harrington, Co-Founder & Chairman, Board of Directors
Meet Our Executive Team
Clay Thelen
Chief Executive Officer
Peter Shaplin
Chief Investment Officer
Craig Kouri
President & Chief Operating Officer
Patrick Harrington
Chief Legal Officer
Meet all the experts driving Becknell’s success.
Company News
Becknell Industrial is proud to announce that our BMW Expansion Phase 2 project received the Top Expansion Project Award at the Integrated Media Publishing Southeast Commercial Real Estate Awards.
This Class A 349,800 SF industrial expansion brings the total square footage to 1.25M SF allowing it to continue to support BMW’s ongoing operational and logistics needs within Plant Spartanburg while further strengthening the Freeman Farms logistics and production...
EV Manufacturing and Industrial Real Estate
Electric vehicles aren’t just changing cars. They’re changing how industrial real estate gets built, where it goes, and what it even looks like. And a lot of developers still haven’t caught up. The Scale of the EV Shift Take Ford’s BlueOval City in Tennessee. It...
Build-to-Suit vs Speculative Development: Why Custom Wins in 2026
Spec warehouses had a great run. Easy to build, easy to lease, quick returns. But that wave is fading. And the developers who saw it coming? They’re already tied into long leases with serious tenants who know exactly what they want. Build-to-suit isn’t some niche play...
Careers
Join a Team That Builds More Than Facilities— We Build Futures.
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“At Becknell, our legacy is built on a strong foundation of integrity, reliability, and long-term partnerships. We’ve created an environment where experienced professionals can deepen their impact and where new talent is empowered to grow, contribute, and thrive. It’s more than a workplace — it’s a place where lasting careers are built.”
Our team of experts is ready to exceed your expectations
Download our corporate overview to learn more about Becknell.