Distribution Center MEP Upgrades - Confidential Client

A big box retailer completed a major mechanical systems retrofit at its 1.7 million-square-foot distribution center to improve climate control, support increased automation, and meet stricter product-handling requirements. Originally constructed in 2000, the industrial warehouse required an updated HVAC strategy as equipment loads and operational demands continued to grow.

Henderson Building Solutions delivered the project through a design-build process that allowed engineering, procurement, and construction decisions to advance in parallel. This approach helped the owner respond quickly to evolving facility needs while maintaining control of budget, schedule, and operational continuity.

The retrofit replaced an aging, water-intensive mechanical system with a modern waterless HVAC solution. This change reduced long-term water consumption and aligned with sustainability goals, particularly important in a dry climate where water conservation is a key operational concern. The new system also provided improved reliability and reduced maintenance requirements compared with the previous infrastructure.

To support higher thermal loads from automation and equipment, the team increased HVAC capacity and optimized air distribution throughout the warehouse. Improved ventilation paths enhanced indoor air quality for employees working across large open floor areas, while updated controls provided better modulation and responsiveness to changing occupancy and process conditions.

The project also included coordinated upgrades to electrical and natural gas distribution systems to ensure the expanded mechanical systems could operate safely and efficiently. By addressing these supporting utilities during the same construction effort, the team reduced the risk of future disruptions and supported long-term facility scalability.

Throughout the project, Henderson collaborated closely with the owner to refine scope and sequencing as conditions evolved. Early equipment procurement and flexible engineering decisions helped keep the retrofit on schedule and under budget while avoiding major operational shutdowns or safety incidents.

The completed mechanical upgrade delivered a more stable and energy-efficient environment that supported employee comfort, protected product quality, and positioned the distribution center for continued growth and automation. The project demonstrated how a well-executed design-build strategy and sustainable mechanical system selection can modernize aging logistics and distribution facilities without interrupting day-to-day operations.