Walmart | Confidential Client Distribution Center MEP Upgrades

Project Name

Distribution Center MEP Upgrades

Size (sq ft)

1,700,000

HEI Project Profile - Long

A confidential big box retailer’s distribution center in Buckeye, Arizona was facing a major challenge: maintaining consistent temperatures across a massive 1.7 million SF facility in extreme desert conditions. With nearly 350 dock doors in constant use and temperature-sensitive goods at risk, the existing HVAC system couldn’t keep up. To make things more complex, the retrofit needed to happen while the facility remained fully operational - through peak seasons and alongside several other active projects. Henderson Companies delivered turnkey, engineer-led design-build solutions with Henderson Engineers providing full building systems design and our sister company, Henderson Building Solutions providing commissioning and general contracting. The team introduced energy-efficient heat pump systems, reused existing electrical infrastructure where possible, and implemented innovative airflow strategies to better distribute cooling throughout the facility. We implemented energy-efficient heat pump systems, strategically reused existing electrical infrastructure, and introduced innovative airflow solutions - like pulling cooler air directly into racking systems - to improve performance in critical areas. Through proactive coordination and real-time problem solving, the project stayed on track despite its complexity. Strategic collaboration with the utility provider even allowed the team to eliminate unnecessary backup generation scope, helping bring the project in under budget. The result is a high-performing, future-ready facility that maintains consistent temperatures and supports ongoing operational demands.

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