Friday, January 16, 2026
If you have been keeping an eye on the commercial construction sector, you know that the “stick-built” method—the bread and butter of our industry—has been facing stiff competition from new technologies. For years, 3D concrete printing was viewed as a novelty or a residential experiment. However, recent moves by the retail giant Walmart suggest that this technology is moving rapidly from the experimental phase to mass adoption.
In a move that could signal a significant shift in how commercial structures are erected, Walmart has announced a major expansion of its 3D-printed building efforts. After successfully dipping its toes in the water with two initial pilot projects, the retailer is diving in headfirst, partnering with Alquist, a leading 3D printing builder, to construct as many as a dozen new structures.
This isn’t just a tech demo anymore. According to Alquist, this new agreement represents the “largest-scale deployment of 3D-printed commercial building technology in U.S. history.” For woodworkers and general contractors accustomed to traditional framing, this scale of adoption is a critical development to watch.
The partnership first took root in 2024. Walmart and Alquist collaborated to print a nearly 8,000-square-foot expansion to a store in Athens, Tennessee. Standing 20 feet high, this project proved the viability of the technology for large-scale retail needs. This success was quickly followed by a second project: a 5,000-square-foot addition to the Walmart Supercenter in Owens Crossroads, Alabama.
Now, the teams are breaking ground on a third structure in Lamar, Missouri. But unlike the first two, this project kicks off a broader initiative to standardize this building method across multiple sites.
What makes this expansion particularly interesting is the logistics behind it. It isn’t just about a robot pouring concrete; it is about a new supply chain model.
According to reports on the partnership, Alquist has launched a “first of its kind” model involving construction equipment rental dealer Hugg & Hall and full-service general contractor FMGI. Under this new framework:
The Lamar, Missouri project will be the first to utilize this integrated model. This level of corporate infrastructure suggests that 3D printing is becoming a streamlined, insurable, and scalable alternative to traditional methods.
Why should a woodworking journal care about concrete printing? Because every square foot of 3D-printed wall is a square foot that isn’t framed with lumber.
For decades, wood has been the preferred material for speed and flexibility in smaller commercial annexes and residential builds. However, 3D printing promises specific advantages that challenge wood’s dominance in certain sectors:
While we are unlikely to see 3D printers replacing fine joinery or interior woodwork anytime soon, the structural game is changing. If Walmart finds this method cost-effective for a dozen stores, other big-box retailers will likely follow suit.
The construction at Lamar, Missouri, is currently underway. As Alquist works with Walmart and potentially other commercial retailers on this “landmark scale,” the wood products industry must adapt. We may see a future where the structure is printed, but the infill, roofing, and interior finishing remain the domain of skilled carpenters and woodworkers.
This technology is no longer on the horizon—it is on the job site. The question now is not if 3D printing will impact the construction industry, but how deeply it will cut into traditional markets.
This news first appeared in IWF Network News./ Image: Alquist
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Tags: 3D printed construction, Commercial building trends, Concrete vs wood framing, Future of woodworking industry, Walmart Alquist partnership
