After trying out the technology on two pickup-centre extensions, the retail giant wants more.
3D construction printer-maker Alquist has partnered with retail giant Walmart and other retailers to deliver more than a dozen printed projects across the US.
Alquist says the deal marks the biggest deployment of printed commercial building technology in US history.
It comes after Alquist printed an 8,000 sq ft pickup building for a Walmart store in Athens, Tennessee, in September last year, and a 5,000 sq ft pickup building at a Walmart in Owens Crossing, Alabama, in February this year.
Greeley, Colorado-headquartered Alquist says 3D construction printing (3DCP) is cheaper, three times stronger and 50% faster than conventional construction methods.
To meet growing demand, Alquist has formed a partnership with construction and equipment rental dealer Hugg & Hall, which has dealerships in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Mississippi, and FMGI, a general contractor with offices in Florida, Texas, Alabama and Georgia. FMGI was the contractor on Walmart’s Alabama project.
FMGI owns and will lease Alquist A1X printers, financed and serviced by Hugg & Hall. In a press release, Alquist said the model lets it sell, lease and rent its equipment and training methods more broadly in the construction industry.
‘Now, it’s a proven solution’
Hugg & Hall president John Hugg said: “Hugg & Hall Equipment is excited to partner with Alquist and FMGI to bring a new generation of construction equipment to market,” adding that the printing technology “will reduce cost while improving build time and move the entire industry toward more sustainable and scalable building practices”.
The first project under this arrangement will start this month with a Walmart building in Lamar, Missouri, Alquist’s third for the retailer.
“For the first time ever in our industry, we have the right partners in place to scale 3DCP at a massive level,” said Alquist chief executive Patrick Callahan.
“For years, 3DCP has been an emerging idea. Now, it’s a proven solution being deployed by some of the nation’s largest companies. This partnership shows what’s possible when innovation and collaboration align, and it’s only the beginning of what 3D printing will do for commercial construction,” said Callahan.
Darin Ross, president and chief executive of FMGI, said: “What drew us to Alquist was how practical this technology really is, it’s faster to mobilise, cleaner on site and delivers consistent quality in every print. For us, this partnership is about transforming how large-scale projects actually get done.”
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