Grubb & Ellis announced this morning that it has formed an alliance with Toronto-based Avison Young. The alliance, along with Grubb’s previous partnership with international services provider Knight Frank — which has offices throughout Europe, Africa and Asia Pacific — extends Grubb & Ellis’ reach to more than 8,000 professionals in 30 countries.

According to a statement by Grubb & Ellis CEO Barry Barovick, the alliance expands his New York-based company’s scope to include Toronto, Misissauga, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. Avison Young brings "expertise in every major real estate sector, but just as important, a strategic locational strength in Canada," Barovic says.

And Grubb & Ellis doesn’t plan to stop there. According to a statement by Ray O’Keefe, the firm’s director of international operations, the company intends to pursue a similar arrangement with South American providers as well.

"We have found that while our transaction expertise and market intelligence will always be the primary differentiation for all of our firms," O’Keefe says. "More and more companies are demanding a seamless full-service approach, offering additional management and consulting expertise across sectors, and across borders."