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O Walmart has signed an agreement with Alquist 3D to use 3D printing in mortar in concrete in the construction of commercial annexes in stores in the USA. The robots mobile promises to speed up construction, reduce waste and enable regional scale through partnerships with construction companies and rental companies.
- Walmart has hired Alquist 3D to build three-dimensional printed concrete annexes
- Tests show faster construction and less material waste
- Mobile robots are rented and operated by trained local teams
- Partnerships with contractors and rental companies facilitate national expansion
- Materials and techniques meet and exceed standards, improving durability
Walmart signs deal with Alquist 3D to build more than a dozen 3D printed buildings
A Alquist 3D signed a contract with Walmart to produce more than a dozen 3D-printed commercial attachments in the chain's supermarkets in the USA. The first project in the new batch starts this month in Lamar, Miss. - the company's third delivery to the retailer, following work on Athens, Tenn. e Owens Cross Roads, Ala.
What was announced
- Alquist 3D will supply printed concrete structures for pick-up point annexes and logistical support in Walmart stores.
- The initial project for the lot starts in Lamar, Miss., followed by work in Athens (Tenn.) and Owens Cross Roads (Ala.).
- To carry out the work, Alquist partnered with the contractor FMGI and with the rental company Hugg & Haul, in a move in line with the increase in investments between builders and startups in the sector.
Previous projects and lessons learned
- Athens, Tennessee
- Area: 8,000 ft², height of up to 20 feet.
- A larger pilot project that has taught lessons about scale and structural performance.
- Owens Cross Roads, Alabama
- Area: 5,000 ft².
- The walls were printed in seven days with two machines and a reduced team, demonstrating time savings and a reduction in waste.
How the technology will be used
- Six-axis arm robots print concrete by extrusion as they move along tracks mounted on site - an application that is reminiscent of the growing use of robots transforming the construction site.
- Each robot has a vertical reach of around 20 feet and is transportable on a standard trailer; assembly and disassembly takes about an hour.
- Alquist provides control software, operating procedures and technical support; local teams are trained to operate the machines.
Materials and compliance
- The mixture used in the pilots required 7,500 psi, It is a superior material to traditional Portland concrete to ensure structural strength.
- The company says that the applications seek to exceed local masonry requirements, reducing doubts about stability and technical compliance. This movement on materials is also in line with initiatives by development of low carbon concrete and efforts to reduce emissions in construction.
Partnerships and business model
- Main partners:
- FMGI - general contractor responsible for execution.
- Hugg & Haul - fleet management and regional technical support.
- Sika - supplier of ready-mixed concrete according to Alquist's specifications.
- Expansion model:
- Alquist offers sales, leasing and rental of the robots, technology licensing and training of local teams, instead of relying solely on sending its own technicians. The strategy of integrating technology and prefabrication is in line with trends seen in integration between platforms and prefabrication, reducing dependence on long journeys by specialized teams.
Expected impact on the sector
The agreement signals the advance of 3D printing in commercial construction. Expected benefits include:
- Reduced execution times
- Less need for manpower in the field
- Less material waste
These factors can make the technique competitive for large-scale repetitive attachments and structures, in line with off-site construction and modularity, although care must be taken as described in the guidelines on common problems in prefabricated buildings.
Summary project data
| Location | Approximate area | Reported print time | Observations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens, Tenn. | 8,000 ft² | — | Larger pilot project; lessons on scale |
| Owens Cross Roads, Ala. | 5,000 ft² | 7 days | Fast printing with two machines |
| Lamar, Miss. | First of the lot | Starts this month | Third project for the client |
Conclusion
The agreement between Walmart e Alquist 3D goes beyond an experiment: it combines 3D concrete printing, mobile robots and high-strength mixtures to bring speed, waste reduction and the possibility of scale. The model based on local partnerships, equipment rental and training turns pilots into a commercial solution, delivering quality and operational efficiency. Risks such as standards, logistics and market acceptance remain, but the projects in Athens, Owens Cross Roads and the new one in Lamar show that the technology is already working in practice, pointing to a promising route that can coexist with hybrid construction to increase flexibility and sustainability.
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Adalberto Mendes, a name that resonates with the solidity of concrete and the precision of structural calculations, personifies the union between engineering theory and practice. A dedicated teacher and owner of a successful construction company, his career is marked by a passion that blossomed in childhood, fueled by the dream of erecting buildings that would shape the horizon. This early fascination led him down the path of engineering, culminating in a career where the classroom and the construction site complement each other, reflecting his commitment both to training new professionals and to bringing ambitious projects to fruition.