Colorado-Real-Estate-Journal_465854

Page 8 — Office & Industrial Quarterly — June 2025 www.crej.com OFFICE — LOGISTICS INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE all together now.  acquilano.com / 303.893.5355 The demand for large assembly spaces to host town halls and all-hands gatherings is rising. Acquilano’s designers excel at creating flexible solutions while expertly navigating high-occupancy permitting challenges. Let us help you plan your hub with confidence. DRIVEN TO BUILD BRINKMANCONSTRUCTION.COM MULTI-FAMILY | OFFICE HEALTHCARE | COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL | TENANT FINISH I n today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, construction and delivery models for high- tech infrastructure must keep pace. Nowhere is this urgency clearer than in data centers and advanced industrial facilities, where speed, scalability and predictability are not mere goals but critical com- petitive advantages. A key but often overlooked driver of this evolution is the merging of manufacturing and logistics. In pre- fabrication and off-site manufactur- ing, this nexus forms the operational backbone enabling faster builds, lower risk, and consistent quality, especially in the complex, high- density environments these facilities demand. n Off-site manufacturing in the age of high-speed infrastructure. Modern data centers and industrial facili- ties are far more than equipment enclosures, they are engineered ecosystems. Whether supporting AI compute clusters, semiconductor fabs, pharmaceutical production, or robotics-enabled warehousing, these facilities require precision-built sys- tems with minimal room for error. Off-site manufacturing addresses this by shifting critical components – such as electrical skids, cooling modules, battery energy storage systems and entire MEP racks – into controlled factory environments. This approach boosts output while enhancing consistency and quality. However, fabrication alone is insuf- ficient without integrated logistics. n The logistics bottleneck and opportunity. Consider a project that includes modu- lar switchgear enclosures, pre- fabricated fiber distribution units, or liquid-cooled AI pod skids. These components may be manufactured at multiple facili- ties across North America or over- seas. Without a tightly coordinated logistics strategy embedded in the production pro- cess, components risk arriving out of sequence, too early, leading to costly storage, or too late, delaying instal- lation. In mission-critical projects, any misalignment in delivery timing can disrupt schedule milestones, jeop- ardize commissioning windows and postpone service availability, risks no operator can afford in today’s uptime-focused environment. This challenge has led leading developers and EPCs to adopt a “fab-to-site” supply chain approach, where logistics is an extension of manufacturing, not a separate func- tion. n The fab-to-site model: More than just movement. In an integrated fab- to-site model, logistics is incorporat- ed early in design and preconstruc- tion phases, including: • Designing skids and assemblies for transportability, considering height, width, weight, and modular splits; • Mapping optimized delivery routes and specialized handling requirements; • Planning phased deliveries aligned with construction sequenc- ing; • Utilizing regional staging hubs and cross-dock facilities for just-in- time deployment; and • Implementing digital tracking and coordination tools for real-time updates among all stakeholders. This transforms logistics from a tactical operation into a strategic lever that accelerates schedules, reduces risk, and improves capital efficiency. n Data centers: Built for AI, fueled by logistics. AI and hyperscale comput- ing workloads are driving a funda- mental shift in data center design. Facilities now require 50-kilowatt to 100-kW per rack densities, direct- to-chip or immersion liquid cool- ing systems and specialized power infrastructure, all increasingly pre- fabricated and shipped in complex configurations. For instance, liquid cooling skid assemblies or prefabricated energy centers integrating UPS, switchgear and backup generation demand not only fabrication precision but also delivery that accommodates narrow installation windows and limited site access. Logistics must orches- trate crane lifts, mechanical connec- tion sequencing, and coordination across multiple trades. Similar pressures exist in advanced industrial sectors. Semi- conductor fabs need ISO-class clean- room assemblies; EV battery plants rely on prefab utility corridors. Even brief component delivery delays can ripple into multimillion-dollar impacts. n Regional manufacturing hubs and supply chain resilience. To enhance responsiveness and reduce risk, many developers are embracing regional manufacturing hubs that shorten shipping distances and improve feedback loops between design, production, and construc- tion. Some firms strategically colocate off-site manufacturing near logistics corridors or major demand zones, enabling batch deliveries, flexible staging, and tighter control over last- mile execution. The result: Projects once requiring 24-36 months can now be delivered in 12-18 months or less without sac- rificing quality or scalability. n Enablers: Technology, collabora- tion and culture. Achieving success at the manufacturing/logistics intersec- tion demands more than process improvements. It requires cultural shifts that dissolve traditional silos between trades, disciplines, and delivery models. Project teams integrate early, con- necting design engineers, fabrication leads, site superintendents, logistics coordinators, procurement and sup- ply chain analysts. Digital tools, such as RFID tracking, integrated sched- uling platforms and digital twins, provide visibility across the entire value chain, supporting proactive coordination. Digital landscape: Integrate manufacturing, logistics Rachel Schiebout Business development and marketing manager, McKinstry Please see Schiebout, Page 12