-- New Jones Lang LaSalle report provides insights into corporations' global location strategies

SINGAPORE, Nov. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Philippines, India and China were the top three global shoring locations for corporations, as highlighted in a new report from global real estate advisor Jones Lang LaSalle. The ranking was based on number of jobs created resulting from investment by corporations in shared service centres, customer contact centres and technical support centres from 2008 to 2011.

The Philippines attracted 115 projects in that period, creating over 72,000 jobs; India attracted 105 projects creating 64,000 jobs and China 56 projects, which resulted in 25,000 jobs.[1]

According to the report Onshore, Nearshore, Offshore: Still Unsure?, the changing global economic landscape is impacting corporate strategy and location decision-making. The threat of recession, political uncertainty and rise of global emerging nations are causing international corporations to re-assess their location strategy. Companies are increasingly selecting from three 'shoring' options: onshore, offshore and near-shore.

An evolution has occurred in both the decision-making framework and the geographic focus of 'shoring' decisions and locations. While established offshoring locations, such as India and the Philippines, continue to attract the highest volume of offshoring investment and jobs, an increasing number of companies are looking at bringing operations nearer to home, with countries such as the US and UK seeing increased activity.

Commenting on the decision companies face, Iain Mackenzie, Head of Solutions Development for Jones Lang LaSalle in Asia Pacific said: "A longer term focus on improving business productivity, operational efficiency and future scalability is now driving corporate real estate decision-making, rather than straight cost-saves in the short term. Corporations are undertaking comprehensive and early initial business case and option analysis in designing their location strategies."

"For Asia Pacific based corporations, a growing number are seeking the cost and productivity benefits associated with shoring, often sticking to offshoring or near-shoring options within the region. At the same time, in order for emerging nations such as India, Philippines, China, Malaysia to attract greater Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), greater transparency is needed, as well as access to quality labour and better location options," Ian adds.

About Jones Lang LaSalle
Jones Lang LaSalle (NYSE: JLL) is a financial and professional services firm specializing in real estate. The firm offers integrated services delivered by expert teams worldwide to clients seeking increased value by owning, occupying or investing in real estate. With 2011 global revenue of $3.6 billion, Jones Lang LaSalle serves clients in 70 countries from more than 1,000 locations worldwide, including 200 corporate offices.  The firm is an industry leader in property and corporate facility management services, with a portfolio of approximately 2.1 billion square feet worldwide. LaSalle Investment Management, the company's investment management business, is one of the world's largest and most diverse in real estate with $47 billion of assets under management.

Jones Lang LaSalle has over 50 years of experience in Asia Pacific, with over 22,200 employees operating in 79 offices in 14 countries across the region. The firm was named 'Best Property Consultancy' in nine Asia Pacific countries at the International Property Awards Asia Pacific 2012, in association with HSBC, and was highly commended in a further three countries. For further information, please visit www.ap.joneslanglasalle.com

Notes to editors

1. The full report is available to download on Jones Lang LaSalle's website
2. Click to view Corporations Going Global – an infographic on corporate shoring strategies

[1] Projects are defined as Foreign Direct Investment in shared service centres, customer contact centres and technical support centres from January 2008 until December 2011, as sourced from fDi Markets data (The Financial Times Ltd).

Contact:
Zina Zhang
Phone: +65 6494 3648
Email: zina.zhang@ap.jll.com