Building a Distribution Center? Here are 5 Things to Consider Beforehand:
1. Location, Location, Location
The old saying holds true: location is everything. The site of your distribution center will directly impact your logistics costs and delivery times. Proximity to major highways, intermodal facilities, airports, and even ports can make or break the efficiency of your operation.
Centralized locations often allow businesses to reduce shipping times and costs, but sometimes the right answer is closer to your customer base. Conducting a thorough market and logistics study can ensure your facility is strategically positioned to meet demand both now and in the future.
2. Future Growth & Scalability
Distribution centers are long-term investments, and the last thing you want is a facility that becomes outdated or undersized too quickly. Planning for scalability from the start can save significant time and money down the road.
Consider not just your current needs, but what the next 5, 10, or even 20 years may bring. Will you need space for additional racking, automation equipment, or expanded dock capacity? Designing with expansion in mind, both vertically and horizontally, provides flexibility and ensures your facility can grow with your business.
3. Technology Integration
When designing your facility, it’s crucial to consider how technology will be integrated into the space. For example:
Will your floor slab support heavy automated equipment?
Do you have the power capacity for future tech upgrades?
Are ceiling heights sufficient for advanced racking systems?
Building with technology in mind today avoids costly retrofits tomorrow.
4. Sustainability & Efficiency
More companies are prioritizing energy-efficient, environmentally friendly facilities that reduce operating costs and support corporate goals. From energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems to renewable energy solutions like solar panels, there are many ways to design with sustainability in mind. Even site design plays a role with aspects such as stormwater management, landscaping, and natural lighting.
Not only can sustainable design lower utility costs, but it also enhances your brand’s reputation with customers and stakeholders who value responsible business practices.
5. The Right Partner
Perhaps the most important decision you’ll make is choosing the right partner to bring your vision to life. A design-build firm with deep experience in distribution center projects can streamline the entire process, from site selection and permitting to design, construction, and delivery. The right partner ensures your facility isn’t just built quickly, but built with high value, on time, on budget, and aligned with your operational goals. At EXXCEL, we manage every detail so our clients can focus on running their business while we handle the complexity of the build.
A distribution center is more than a building. It’s the backbone of your company. By carefully considering location, growth potential, technology, sustainability, and your project partner, you can ensure your facility is built to support success today and well into the future.
At EXXCEL, we’ve guided companies nationwide through this process, delivering facilities that drive efficiency and growth. If you’re ready to explore your next distribution center project, let’s talk about how we can help you build your story.