Construction company Alquist 3D teamed up with Walmart to construct an almost 8,000-square-foot 3D printed addition to its Athens, Tennessee store for online order services. This is the largest 3D-printed commercial structure in the U.S., marking a significant step forward in the technology’s commercial viability and efficiency.
Alquist, based in Colorado, has announced plans to print over a dozen new Walmart buildings and structures for other commercial retailers. This move represents a major step in the large-scale deployment of 3D printing technology in commercial real estate, which has primarily been used in residential construction until now.
Sika, a global construction materials company focused on sustainability, will provide materials to Alquist for all future 3D-printed projects and licensees. This partnership aims to streamline Alquist’s national pipeline, reduce material and freight costs, and develop more sustainable mixes for large-scale 3D-printed construction, especially for commercial projects like those with Walmart.
Alquist, which specializes in designing and building large-scale 3D printers, has now expanded its focus to commercial construction, partnering with equipment rental dealers and general contractors to scale the technology nationwide. By doing so, they aim to lower material costs and labor expenses, making the technology more accessible and efficient for large-scale projects.
Icon Build, a prominent residential 3D printing technology company, is venturing into commercial construction with projects like a hotel and potential data centers. Their upcoming Titan printer will be capable of handling larger-scale projects, potentially revolutionizing commercial construction with faster and more cost-effective methods. Icon expects significant growth in the coming year, with plans to manufacture multiple Titan printers monthly. 1. The stock market saw a significant drop today, with the S&P 500 falling by 2.5% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing down 600 points. This decline was attributed to fears of rising inflation and uncertainty over the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy.
2. The latest unemployment figures show a slight increase in jobless claims, with 750,000 new claims filed last week. This is the highest number of claims in four weeks, indicating ongoing challenges in the labor market despite signs of economic recovery.
3. Pfizer announced that its COVID-19 vaccine is 95% effective in preventing infection in adolescents aged 12 to 15. This promising data could lead to expanded vaccine eligibility for this age group and bring the country closer to achieving herd immunity against the virus.
4. The Biden administration unveiled a $2 trillion infrastructure plan aimed at rebuilding America’s roads, bridges, and public transportation systems. The proposal includes investments in clean energy, high-speed broadband, and affordable housing, with funding coming from corporate tax increases over the next 15 years.
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1. Apple reports record-breaking revenue of $111.4 billion in Q1, driven by strong iPhone sales and increased demand for wearables and services.
2. Tesla shares drop 5% after reporting lower-than-expected Q4 earnings and delays in Model S and Model X production.
3. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos announces plans to step down in Q3, with Andy Jassy set to take over as CEO of the e-commerce giant.
4. GameStop’s stock price surges 103% as Reddit traders rally behind the struggling retailer, causing a short squeeze for hedge funds betting against the company.: Walmart and Alquist to expand 3D-printed commercial real estate