Don’t Judge a “Box” by its Facade
The landscape around America’s interstates is experiencing a major shift with a growing number of “big-box” warehouses and distribution centers.
This construction boom is fueled by the e-commerce explosion. Retailers have revamped their supply chains to meet consumer’s expectations around the ease of online shopping and fast delivery times. These massive warehouses, strategically located near major highways for efficient transportation, allow retailers to store inventory closer to customers and quickly fulfill orders.
The trend is all about speed and convenience, reshaping the logistics landscape and transforming the American interstate into a key aspect of the new retail era.
Innovation Hubs
The unassuming exteriors of these big-box warehouses and distribution centers hide the hubs of innovative activity happening within. Advanced automation whirs behind the scenes, from conveyor belts zipping products to fulfillment centers, to robotic arms meticulously sorting and packing.
These technological systems are transforming the retail distribution landscape in the US, ensuring faster deliveries, more efficient inventory management, and a smoother overall shopping experience, all while remaining hidden beneath the seemingly ordinary facade of a big-box warehouse.
Innovation in Action – Cargo Largo
As a company driven by our own core value of innovation – Russell is proud to have been the construction partner on the expansive 560,000 s.f. tilt-up concrete warehouse for Cargo Largo in Independence, MO.
Cargo Largo is a retail and e-commerce business that provides its customers with over 800,000 unique products at unbeatable prices. Buying and selling undeliverable surplus goods from various retailers, manufacturers, and distributors is the foundation of this thriving business. This innovative business model and its commitment to customer satisfaction has allowed Cargo Largo to carve out a niche for itself in the competitive world of retail liquidation.
For nearly four decades Cargo Largo adapted to the dynamic changes of the retail market and grew steadily. The company grew so much that it reached a point where it was forced to turn away new customers simply because it didn’t have the space or resources to handle new products.
To address the need for a larger, tailored space, Cargo Largo and its parent company, Recovery Management Corp., partnered with developer, Kessinger Hunter, and Russell to build a new $65 MM retail and distribution facility in Independence, MO.
Constructed of 129,500 s.f. of tilt-up precast concrete exterior panels, some weighing over 200,000 lbs, the structure consolidates all Cargo Largo operations from six metro locations into one corporate headquarters, store, and processing warehouse.
The massive facility features an impressive, five-mile-long handling and conveying system, 51 docks, offices, a dedicated bid area, shipping and sorting areas for the company’s e-commerce business, and a retail store.
Cargo Largo is leading the way in innovation – first in how they serve their customers, and now where they provide their innovative services. Companies like Cargo Largo exemplify the potential of the boom in industrial warehousing. This is especially prominent in areas like Kansas City where logistics hubs have emerged to meet the ongoing demand for spaces that provide more efficient solutions to a wide variety of businesses.
Innovation Leaders
Seeing our clients’ dreams come to reality is what it is all about – especially when a project is honored with a 2024 Kansas City Business Journal Capstone Award!
Russell is proud to have served as the general contractor and MEPFP (mechanical, engineering, plumbing, fire protection) partner for Cargo Largo’s new innovative big-box facility.
Contact our experts to learn more about Russell’s approach to Industrial / Manufacturing construction!
Greg Sikora
Matt Rebro
