Walmart unveils new 3D-printed pickup center in North Alabama

Walmart customers in Owens Cross Roads will notice something new when they pull into the pickup zone. Earlier today, the retailer opened a newly expanded and unique pickup area , one built using cutting-edge 3D printing technology.

While the online order and pickup process at Walmart remains familiar to shoppers locally and nationwide, the new pickup center at this location stands out due to its modern construction methods.

"We’re able to build what I call the iPhone of construction, where we built a building in seven days, which nobody had ever done before," said Patrick Callahan, CEO of Alquist 3D, the company behind the innovative project.

The 5,000-square-foot structure is made up of 16-foot walls of 3D-printed concrete, a method that officials say addresses two major challenges in the construction industry: cost and time.

"We set about a 15% savings over traditional construction, as well as cut three weeks off the schedule," explained Darin Ross, CEO of FMGI, the construction partner for the project.

Despite the groundbreaking speed and cost savings, challenges remain. "The one issue we're having right now is the cost of materials; Still a little bit high, but volume will help with that. The partnership with Walmart is fantastic, because we see more volume of projects like this. That’s the whole start to drive the cost down," Callahan said.

The material used to print the walls is a specialized concrete additive known as "Sikacrete" which is made using recycled materials, reducing water usage in the process. "The material that we used here is a Sikacrete material. So it is a concrete, additive material, using recycled materials, cycled additive, recycled additives, and a heck of a lot less water," Callahan added.

Officials say that while most projects of this nature typically take about a month to complete, the 3D printing technology used here significantly accelerated the process.

"We blew this one out of the water and just kind of proving this technology is available and works for our industry," Ross said, noting the success of the Owens Cross Roads location.

This 3D-printed pickup center is only the second of its kind, with the first being built in Athens, Tennessee. As this technology continues to evolve, Walmart and its partners aim to advance 3D printing as a standard component of construction.