WESTCHESTER, Ill. –

Texas is one of the largest markets for Insurance Auto Auctions. The company continued its investment in the state with an announcement on Thursday that it has opened IAA Houston South.

The new 125-acre-capacity location, which marks IAA’s third in the Houston metro area, is the 17th branch in the state for the company.

IAA says the new location, approximately 35 miles from Houston, will strategically enhance IAA’s service to what the company says is a growing metropolitan area, and the location means IAA Houston South will also be able to best serve the hurricane-prone coastal Texas areas.

A vehicle check-in area designed for IAA 360 View imaging and IAA Inspection Services is part of what the company says is the latest in vehicle auction technology at IAA Houston South.

Also included at the branch: a vehicle inspection center space for insurance clients, a new lobby, and conference rooms that will bring a large amount of meeting and training space for customers and employees.

IAA says that in addition to Houston South, it has made significant land investments across the country so far this year. The company has completed more than 11 facility expansions and opened a new facility in Lexington, S.C. The facility expansions total about 300 acres.

“We continue to make strategic investments to meet our customers’ needs by creating a better marketplace to connect sellers and buyers,” IAA chief executive officer and president John Kett said in a news release.

Kett also said the location will help the company “serve the growing volume from our customers, as well as provide support for potential catastrophic weather events.”