1. Managing Director or Promoter (In SMEs and Private Firms)
In small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs), the Managing Director or promoter-owner is usually the final decision-maker in industrial land purchases.
- Takes call on location, size, and investment value
- Directly involved in site visits and final negotiations
- Prefers sites close to existing operations or growth clusters
- Balances cost with long-term operational fit
2. Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
The CFO evaluates the financial viability of the land purchase, manages approvals for capital expenditure, and negotiates payment structuring.
- Reviews ROI, tax implications, and depreciation
- Oversees fund allocation or bank financing
- Influences pricing negotiations and risk assessment
- Final approver in corporate real estate deals
3. Chief Operating Officer (COO) or Plant Head
The COO or factory head evaluates whether the land suits operational needs such as logistics, expansion space, and access to workforce.
- Ensures the plot supports the production or warehousing plan
- Checks road width, loading access, and infrastructure
- Provides input on layout, zoning, and build feasibility
- Recommends land only if aligned with process flow
4. Legal Counsel or Compliance Head
Legal teams assess the land for clear title, encumbrances, and zoning compliance, and often determine if the deal is legally feasible.
- Verifies sale deed, EC, conversion status, and litigation risks
- Approves draft sale agreements, PoAs, and indemnity clauses
- Ensures land is compliant with local laws and usage rules
- Involved early in institutional or JV land deals
5. Real Estate or Project Head (Large Corporates & REITs)
In large companies and REIT-backed projects, a dedicated land acquisition or real estate head scouts, evaluates, and shortlists industrial land options.
- Leads deal structuring and liaison with brokers
- Manages internal site analysis and market studies
- Coordinates with legal, engineering, and finance teams
- Key in corporates like Amazon, Indospace, GMR, or Mahindra Parks
6. Technical or Civil Engineering Team
Engineering teams assess the buildability of the land—checking soil, gradient, water table, and infrastructure suitability.
- Conduct soil tests and site feasibility surveys
- Estimate development cost for roads, power, and fencing
- Recommend land only if construction is technically viable
- Influence final approval based on technical risk
7. Board of Directors or Investment Committee
For REITs, listed companies, or large investors, land acquisition above a certain threshold needs board-level approval or sign-off from the investment committee.
- Reviews financial model, risk-return profile, and holding strategy
- Makes final go/no-go decision for high-value deals
- Ensures alignment with investor mandates
- Often based on detailed presentations from internal teams
8. Industrial Consultants or Location Advisors
External consultants are often hired to evaluate location fit, compliance risk, and incentive potential, especially for institutional buyers.
- Prepare site selection reports and cost-benefit analysis
- Advise on government incentives and approvals
- Influence decisions in large-scale site planning
- Trusted by MNCs entering new states or regions
9. Broker or Land Aggregator (Facilitator, Not Decider)
While not a decision-maker, brokers and aggregators influence the decision by presenting options, negotiating terms, and filtering land based on buyer needs.
- Serve as liaison between buyer and seller
- Shortlist land options as per buyer brief
- Help in initial documentation and site logistics
Can sway decisions through strong on-ground insights
