So, you’re managing your company’s distribution center construction and thanks to some thorough research, you’re feeling good about the building company you’ll be using. You’ve had several meetings thus far, and you know much about your new state-of-the-art distribution center.
For one, it’ll be incredibly large – in fact, it’ll be big enough for the entire NFL to play a Sunday’s worth of football…at the same time, under one roof. It’ll be equipped with the latest in distribution center technology and auto-fulfillment capabilities. After all, the way consumers are buying is changing.
But what about some of the more obvious features of your building, like wall construction? How will that be executed? If you have a builder worthy of their flannel, you better believe they’ll be considering Tilt-Up concrete for your distribution center’s wall construction. This blog post explains why.
What is Tilt-Up concrete?
As we detailed in a previous blog post, Tilt-Up concrete construction is a method of building in which big concrete panels are poured flat on the ground and then after they cure, are raised up, or tilted up, with cables attached to a crane to form a distribution center’s walls.
Because it’s poured on site, Tilt-Up concrete provides for aesthetic versatility. Each panel is designed to the exact needs and specs of the job at hand, satisfying our mantra that the job is always the boss. Tilt-Up concrete provides builders, and owners of course, unlimited flexibility in building a distribution center that’s strong, functional and easy on the eye. Or as we like to say, built smart.
Savings in distribution center construction cost
One of the biggest benefits of Tilt-Up construction is the large savings in costs. This method of construction uses locally available materials, meaning there’s no shipping of materials and that readily available raw materials will be lower in cost. Additionally, Tilt-Up crews are often smaller and are typically made up of local labor, leading to lower labor costs. On-site storage is kept to a minimum.
A faster construction schedule
At The Korte Company, we’ve always prided ourselves on delivering ahead of schedule and under budget. The use of Tilt-Up concrete has been one of the biggest drivers of this. Using Tilt-Up for wall construction offers numerous opportunities to shorten the construction schedule and deliver a building at a fraction of the timeline of a traditional building method.
Durability, fire safety and secure structures
Tilt-Up structures are very durable. As proof, consider that builders in California are now using Tilt-Up concrete to construct almost all of their one-story industrial buildings. Here’s one we built in the Golden state. In a region where earthquakes are common, this proves the resiliency of a Tilt-Up built facility. Additionally, considering they’re made of concrete, Tilt-Up facilities are immune to rodent, insect and animal infestation, and pretty much always meet the fire resistance standards of all building codes. For these reasons alone, Tilt-Up concrete distribution centers often enjoy better insurance rates than other types of structures. Due to the large size of Tilt-Up panels, fewer seams are needed, meaning fewer entry points for pests and weather.
Repairs, expandability
But what if something does happen to the facility. What if a shipping truck clips the side of the building? Or a forklift operator commits a rookie mistake and cracks a wall? Well, the good news is, repairs are a breeze. Versus other types of structures, damage is typically more localized on a single panel, making it easy to fix. Similarly, just as it’s easy to fix, it’s also easy to expand these buildings.
Lower operating costs for the owner
So, you’ve a building made of concrete. Outside of the cost savings we’ve already covered, what else does it mean for your bottom line? The short answer is lots. Concrete provides excellent insulation, which as we all know reduces heating/cooling costs. Additionally, this leads to improved sound insulation as well. That’s good news for workers inside, and the building’s neighbors outside.
Tilt-Up is Build Smart
At The Korte Company, we believe a job is a living and breathing thing — with its own unique specs, needs, threats and opportunities. That’s why the job is boss. That said, If you’re planning distribution facility construction, Tilt-Up wall construction needs to be a method you explore. As a member of the Tilt-Up Concrete Association, we continue to refine the process and learn from industry professionals, how to best maximize safety, economy, aesthetics and durability of the method.
Thanks for reading. And here’s to building smart.
