Longtime Irvine Spectrum resident Wonderware Corp. is moving its headquarters to the Allred Corporate Center in Lake Forest, real estate industry sources say.
The software maker confirmed the relocation but said it isn’t sure when the actual move will take place. The company declined further comment.
Wonderware is expected to move into the first phase of the Allred Corporate Center, though details about buildings and square footage weren’t available. Wonderware currently leases nearly 100,000 square feet of space in three Spectrum buildings: 25,426 square feet on Alton Parkway; 31,603 square feet on Technology; and 37,751 square feet on Barranca Parkway.
Two years ago, Wonderware said it was looking for a new location in South County to house all of its workers in one location. The company, which makes factory automation software, was started in 1987 by Dennis Morin, now chief executive of Irvine-based IndX Software Corp. Wonderware has more than 180,000 software installations in more than 25,000 plants worldwide.
In 1998, Britain’s Invensys PLC acquired Wonderware in a deal valued at nearly $375 million. Wonderware ranked No. 5 on this year’s Business Journal list of OC software companies, with $156.2 million in revenue for the 12 months ended March 30.
The company employs about 324 in OC, with about 800 employees companywide. In 1999, Invensys acquired Newton, Mass.-based Marcam Solutions and Canada’s Avantis and folded those companies into Wonderware. Invensys also owns Brea-based Simulation Sciences Inc. and Irvine-based Triconex Corp., which are run separately.
Earlier this year, Wonderware laid off about 150 workers as part of a restructuring program launched in January.
Trent Walker, John Griffin and Jeff Diltz of Voit Commercial are representing the landlord, San Diego-based Douglas Allred Co.
Durand Construction is building the center, designed by Architects Orange. The project is in phase one, with three buildings under construction. Another four buildings are planned. n
