As the industrial real estate sector continues to rebalance supply and demand, contractors must find ways to stay competitive as they compete for projects in a tighter market. Meanwhile, the construction industry faces a labor shortage of about half a million workers, which can stall development and delay project timelines. Such delays can prove costly, especially in the face of rising material costs and elevated interest rates.

As with many industries, however, property managers and contractors are turning to technology to augment a smaller team of construction workers and fill skilled labor gaps. These companies are leveraging a variety of advanced robotics to build and upgrade facilities faster and more efficiently than ever before.

“We hear a lot about ‘flight to quality,’ but why not ‘revive and thrive?’” says Frank P. Crivello, Chairman and Founder of Phoenix Investors, a Milwaukee-based industrial real estate firm. “Moving shop is becoming less necessary as these technologies continue to advance. These robotics used in the ConTech space are facilitating quicker, more efficient renovations and safer job sites, which means tenants and owners can update their facilities instead of building from scratch or moving operations.”

5 Types of Robots That Elevate Industrial Renovations

Robotic-assisted renovations can help breathe new life into existing facilities, providing many of the features tenants want for modern logistics and manufacturing operations without the delays and costs of new construction. Here are some of the areas where robotics, in conjunction with AI and other software, can streamline and elevate industrial renovation projects.

1. Mapping and Scanning

Mapping and scanning robots utilize technologies such as Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), computer vision, and simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) to create highly accurate 3D models of buildings. Developers can then utilize these models to create a digital twin of the facility, which enables them to identify potential limitations or opportunities within the structure, experiment with different upgrades, visualize racking or machine tool layouts, and more.

Ultimately, this process eliminates the guesswork from preconstruction planning and shortens the timeline between preconstruction and actual renovation.

2. Inspection

Inspection robots come in various types. Some may resemble the scanning robots mentioned above, but other types include drones that can inspect roofs and walls, as well as crawlers that can get into wall membranes, ducts, and other tight spaces. These robots help contractors obtain an accurate picture of a facility’s condition, enabling them to plan renovations accordingly.

3. HVAC/MEP

Upgrading heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and/or mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems can prove extremely labor-intensive and typically requires a significant time investment. Thanks to crawlers and other types of robotics, it has become much easier to pull cables, fit pipes, and access hazardous or tight areas for renovations and retrofits. Driving efficiency in this type of work is becoming increasingly important as companies seek to upgrade their systems to align with sustainability goals or handle the increased cooling and power needs of advanced manufacturing.

4. Demolition

Demolition is another area where robots are helping to improve efficiency and safety. There are robots designed specifically for breaking concrete and other tasks that carry an increased risk of strains, impacts, and repetitive stress injuries for laborers. Robots also exist for more precise demolition activities, such as dismantling old conveyors or removing interior walls.

5. Interior Finishing

Finishing robots can handle a variety of tasks, ranging from painting and sanding to installing drywall and polishing floors. In a tight labor market, getting robotic assistance with these activities can help to modernize the appearance of a facility quickly. These types of robots are also extremely useful for ensuring that retrofits comply with strict regulations, such as environmental or hygiene standards. For example, finishing robots can shorten timelines when installing cleanrooms or meeting Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards for food-safe or pharma-safe facilities.

Finding Opportunities for Renovation

As tenants continue to demand more modernized industrial spaces, robotic-assisted renovations provide an effective alternative to new development, offering facility owners and property managers a way to modernize existing assets in time- and cost-effective ways.

If you don’t have an upgradeable facility but also aren’t prepared to invest in building a brand-new factory or warehouse, your industrial real estate broker can help you find facilities that are well-suited for retrofit. Thanks to robotics and the tech-forward contractors that use them, the future for aging industrial facilities doesn’t have to be a choice between blight or flight.

About Phoenix Investors

Founded by Frank P. Crivello in 1994,  Phoenix Investors  and its affiliates (collectively “Phoenix”) are a leader in the acquisition, development, renovation, and repositioning of industrial facilities throughout the United States. Utilizing a disciplined investment approach and successful partnerships with institutional capital sources, corporations and public stakeholders, Phoenix has developed a proven track record of generating superior risk adjusted returns, while providing cost-efficient lease rates for its growing portfolio of national tenants. Its efforts inspire and drive the transformation and reinvigoration of the economic engines in the communities it serves. Phoenix continues to be defined by thoughtful relationships, sophisticated investment tools, cost-efficient solutions, and a reputation for success.