Walmart and Alquist achieve construction milestone with 3D printing

OWENS CROSS ROADS, Ala. - Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT), the $790 billion retail giant with over $680 billion in annual revenue, and construction technology firm Alquist have completed a significant expansion project at the Owens Cross Roads, Ala., Supercenter using advanced 3D Concrete Printing (3DCP) technology. According to InvestingPro data, Walmart maintains strong financial health with a 13% return on invested capital, positioning it well for innovative expansion projects. The project, which involved constructing 5,000-square-foot walls for the store’s pickup area, was completed in one week, showcasing a new standard in construction speed and cost efficiency.

The collaboration between Walmart and Alquist demonstrates the potential for 3DCP to address longstanding challenges in the construction industry, particularly regarding project duration and budget. Alquist’s use of two 3DCP systems allowed a five-person team to erect 16-foot-high walls within 75 operational hours, a pace substantially quicker than traditional methods. This efficiency aligns with Walmart’s broader operational success, as evidenced by its 5.07% revenue growth and robust market position. For detailed analysis of Walmart’s financial metrics and growth potential, investors can access comprehensive research through InvestingPro, which offers exclusive insights on over 1,400 US stocks.

Patrick Callahan, CEO of Alquist 3D, emphasized the scalability of 3D printing in commercial construction, highlighting its benefits for retail expansions. According to Darin Ross, president and CEO of FMGI, Inc., the general contractor, this construction method not only reduced costs by 15% compared to their first 3DCP build but also cut material waste by 55%.

LB Johnson, Vice President of Construction at Walmart, noted that their approach to innovation aims to streamline processes and reduce costs and timelines, ultimately benefiting customers and catalyzing change in the construction sector.

The 3DCP technology also offers material efficiency, labor optimization through robotics, and reduced safety risks, as traditional scaffolding and bracing are not required. Moreover, Alquist’s team demonstrated the technology’s resilience against adverse weather, which typically delays conventional construction.

Sika USA supplied the specialized concrete mix, contributing to the project’s success by providing a balance of speed and durability. FMGI coordinated the integration of 3DCP with conventional construction tasks on-site.

As part of its commitment to workforce development, Alquist has developed a 3DCP curriculum in partnership with Aims Community College in Greeley, Colorado, to prepare builders for large-scale 3D printing projects.

This press release statement serves as the basis for reporting the completion of the Owens Cross Roads Supercenter expansion, a project that underscores the evolving capabilities and efficiencies in the construction industry through the application of 3D concrete printing. With Walmart’s strong financial health score and continued innovation in operational efficiency, investors seeking deeper insights can access detailed valuation metrics and 15+ additional ProTips through InvestingPro’s comprehensive research platform.

In other recent news, Walmart’s upcoming earnings report has garnered attention from analysts, with DA Davidson maintaining a Buy rating and a $117 price target, anticipating market share gains and a comparable sales beat despite potential margin pressures. Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley reaffirmed its Overweight rating with a $115 target, highlighting a significant increase in Walmart+ membership, which has reached a new peak according to their Consumer Pulse survey. RBC Capital Markets also maintained its Outperform rating and $102 price target for Walmart, although it adjusted its forecast for second-quarter net sales growth slightly downward due to inconsistent sales trends and higher-than-expected expenses. Additionally, Walmart’s strategic partnership with Upstart, through OneProgress Services LLC, aims to market Upstart’s consumer lending products to Walmart’s extensive customer base, although it is not expected to materially impact financial results for 2025. Mizuho analyst Dan Dolev expressed confidence in the partnership, viewing it as a validation of Upstart’s lending capabilities. These developments reflect Walmart’s ongoing efforts to expand its alternative profit models and leverage its market presence. Investors are closely monitoring Walmart’s financial disclosures, as the retailer’s performance is often seen as an indicator for the broader consumer sector.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.