53% of Industrial Warehouses Area in Mexico Is Prefabricated: Tilt-Up vs Block and Metal Sheet

In the industrial real estate market, construction techniques and materials are crucial for the efficiency and sustainability of manufacturing, storage, and logistics properties. The most prominent and popular construction methods are block and metal sheeting and "Tilt-Up." According to data from SiiLA Market Analytics, in Mexico, industrial warehouses made of block and metal sheeting represent 47% of the industrial gross leasable area (GLA), while those built using the Tilt-Up technique constitute 53%.

Construction with block and metal sheeting is a traditional method known for its design flexibility and resistance to adverse weather conditions. Although durable and adaptable to the specific needs of each project, these structures may require extended construction times and demanding maintenance. Additionally, they may have structural limitations related to load-bearing capacity, resistance to external forces, or adaptation to specific design requirements, such as high ceilings or large spans without intermediate supports. An example is Bodegas La Joya in Tijuana, with spaces ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 square meters.

The term "Tilt-Up" refers to a construction technique using precast concrete panels horizontally at the construction site or nearby, which are then "lifted" or "tilted" vertically (hence the term "Tilt-Up") with cranes to form the exterior and interior walls of the structure. Popular in the construction of warehouses, distribution centers, and industrial buildings, this technique stands out for reducing construction times and maintenance costs and offering structural advantages, such as better thermal insulation. However, Tilt-Up usually requires higher initial investments than traditional construction and ample space for prefabrication. An illustrative case is warehouse Two of Vesta Park Aguascalientes, which has a GLA of approximately 11,500 square meters.

Nationally, the Tilt-Up technique is more common in developing high-quality and larger spaces than block and metal sheeting. According to SiiLA, 60% of Class A industrial warehouses have been developed using the Tilt-Up method. In contrast, 68% of Class B warehouses are made of block and metal sheeting. The data also indicates that the average size of Tilt-Up warehouses is 20% larger than those of block and metal sheeting, with an average GLA of approximately 15,500 and 13,000 square meters, respectively.

These figures highlight a marked preference for the Tilt-Up technique, which is ideal for developing large spaces crucial in large-scale logistics and manufacturing operations due to its structural efficiency. On the other hand, the prevalence of block and metal sheeting warehouses in Class B indicates that, although this method does not offer the same structural advantages as Tilt-Up, it remains indispensable for smaller projects or those with budgetary and strategic limitations that demand greater design adaptability.