Alquist, a specialist in 3D construction printing, announced a major expansion of its technology in partnership with retailer Walmart and other commercial retailers. The initiative includes more than a dozen projects nationwide, marking the largest deployment of 3D printed commercial building systems in U.S. history.
To support this growth, Alquist has launched a new collaborative model with Hugg & Hall, a construction and equipment rental company, and FMGI, a full-service general contractor. Under the arrangement, FMGI will own and lease Alquist’s A1X printers—financed and maintained by Hugg & Hall—to carry out large-scale projects. This framework allows Alquist to sell, lease, or rent its proprietary printers and training programs, increasing access to commercial 3D construction printing across the industry.
“Hugg & Hall Equipment is excited to partner with Alquist and FMGI to bring a new generation of construction equipment to market,” said John Hugg, President of Hugg & Hall. “Equipment that will reduce cost while improving build time and move the entire industry toward more sustainable and scalable building practices.”
First Projects and Industry Implications
The first project under this model is scheduled for Lamar, Missouri, in December, marking Alquist’s third collaboration with Walmart. The company continues to seek strategic partners to extend this approach nationwide.
“For the first time ever in our industry, we have the right partners in place to scale 3DCP at a massive level,” said Patrick Callahan, CEO of Alquist. “For years, 3DCP has been an emerging idea. Now, it’s a proven solution being deployed by some of the nation’s largest companies. This partnership shows what’s possible when innovation and collaboration align, and it’s only the beginning of what 3D printing will do for commercial construction.”
These projects, which differ in size and location, signal a shift from experimental pilot programs to full-scale commercialization. Alquist’s robotic systems are being used to build structural walls and other infrastructure components more efficiently and sustainably than conventional construction methods.
“At FMGI, we’re builders first,” said Darin Ross, President & CEO of FMGI. “What drew us to Alquist was how practical this technology really is; it’s faster to mobilize, cleaner on-site, and delivers consistent quality in every print. For us, this partnership is about transforming how large-scale projects actually get done.”
Growth, Workforce Training, and the Future of 3DCP
This wave of projects follows a year of rapid expansion for Alquist, headquartered in Greeley, Colorado. The company has strengthened its network through educational and industry partnerships, working with Aims Community College and residential builders to prepare the workforce for 3D construction. Additional educational collaborations will be announced later this year.
“This is the moment 3DCP becomes commercialized at scale,” said Zachary Mannheimer, Founder of Alquist. “We’ve spent years proving that this technology works, now we’re putting it to work. Through this partnership, Alquist is helping redefine how America builds. Together, we’re accelerating construction, cutting waste, and building a stronger, more sustainable foundation for the future.”
Recent Developments in 3D Construction Printing
In July, specialist in 3D construction printing technology, COBOD International, in partnership with Germany’s Technische Universität (TU) Braunschweig, introduced the industry’s first commercially available multifunctional construction robot specifically designed for automated building processes.
Building on COBOD’s advanced 3D construction printing platform, this system—developed alongside the Institute for Structural Design (ITE)—combines a telescopic vertical extension and a robotic arm to enable the Shotcrete 3D Printing Process (SC3DP). The telescopic unit is mounted vertically between the two X-axes of a COBOD BOD2 3D construction printer.
In the defense sector, a Texan company collaborated with the U.S. government-backed Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to test the military applications of 3D printing at Camp Pendleton Marine base. A team of eight Marines, with little engineering experience, trained on ICON’s Vulcan 3D printer and successfully built a vehicle hide structure in 36 hours. Measuring 26 feet long, 13 feet wide, and 15 feet high, the structure was created using Lavacrete material. Following the successful test, the technology continued to be used in broader U.S. military operations.
The 3D Printing Industry Awards are back. Make your nominations now.
Do you operate a 3D printing start-up? Reach readers, potential investors, and customers with the 3D Printing Industry Start-up of Year competition.
To stay up to date with the latest 3D printing news, don’t forget to subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter or follow us on Twitter, or like our page on Facebook.
Featured image shows The Alquist 3D printer laying down layers of cement. Photo via COBOD.
