At Hermosillo, we continually strive to innovate our construction methodologies, prioritizing efficiency, quality, and environmental responsibility at all times. One of the systems that best embodies this philosophy is Tilt-Up walls—a technique that not only streamlines construction projects but also contributes tangible benefits to our sustainability strategy.
Throughout our trajectory, we have built over 39,800,000 SF (up to July 2025) of projects using the Tilt-Up construction. Since our first project executed in 1990 for Frito Lay to several of our recent projects, like distribution centers for Mercado Libre in several states of Mexico. We have refined this method to deliver faster, safer, more cost-effective, and environmentally conscious results.
What is the Tilt-Up construction system?
The Tilt-Up construction method consists of pouring and casting concrete (directly on the job site) onto a floor slab to form wall panels. These panels are then lifted and placed vertically to shape the building’s structure. This modular construction system is particularly effective for industrial, logistics, and commercial buildings due to its speed, cost efficiency, and adaptability to various architectural designs.
Sustainability at the Core of Our Operations
At Hermosillo, we believe that sustainable development is not just a goal, but a way of operating. That’s why our Corporate Sustainable Strategy is structured around five strategic pillars:
Each pillar includes specific objectives and an action plan that guides us year after year toward a more responsible, efficient, and conscious operation, ensuring continuous improvement with clear, measurable goals.
Our Corporate Sustainability approach aims to create long-term value, seize opportunities for improvement, and effectively manage the risks inherent in economic, environmental, and social development. This description is based on the framework established by Dow Jones Sustainability Index.
Within this framework, the Tilt-Up construction directly impacts two of our five strategic pillars: Environmental Action and Innovation & Technology. At Hermosillo, we actively monitor our impact and continuously work to optimize our practices, ensuring our initiatives align with our sustainability objectives and building a more responsible future.
Environmental Benefits of the Tilt-Up Construction System
This modular construction system aligns directly with our sustainability strategy, offering clear advantages in environmental impact, operational efficiency, and technological innovation. This construction system not only enables faster and more organized construction, but it also supports a more conscious and responsible approach to construction.
Here are the key environmental benefits of Tilt-Up construction, grouped under two dimensions of our sustainability strategy: environmental care and innovation.
Reducing Negative Environmental Impact
One of our strategic pillars, Environmental Action, focuses on mitigating the adverse effects of our operations across five priority areas: water, emissions, energy, waste, and materials. Tilt-Up construction contributes to this pillar in the following ways:
- Less Material Waste: As a precise modular construction system, Tilt-Up minimizes material waste during construction. This promotes a cleaner and more organized job site, aligning with the guidelines in our internal sustainability guide, the Greenbook.
- Energy Efficiency: Thanks to their thermal mass, Tilt-Up concrete panels naturally help regulate indoor temperatures, reducing HVAC system demand and improving energy efficiency. In some projects, we’ve implemented composite Tilt-Up systems that include an internal layer of thermal insulation.
- Material Reuse: In Tilt-Up panels, we aim to reuse formwork wood until it becomes obsolete. This extends material life and significantly reduces solid waste.
- Use of Local, Responsible Materials: We prioritize working with local suppliers who share our sustainability values, including the use of certified wood. This strengthens circular economies and promotes responsible supply chains.
Driving Innovation and Efficiency
Another of our core pillars is Innovation & Technology, which empowers us to adopt new tools, processes, and solutions that enhance efficiency and sustainability in every modular construction project. Tilt-Up construction fits perfectly into this vision:
- Improved Logistics and Project Control: Thanks to its methodical construction sequence, Tilt-Up panels allow for multiple construction activities to run simultaneously. This boosts coordination on-site, accelerates project timelines, and aligns with our Lean Construction approach, where every resource and action is designed to generate value.
- Time and Cost Reductions: Modular construction system enables faster and more organized execution. By minimizing intensive manual labor and optimizing on-site logistics, projects are completed more efficiently. This translates into significant time and resource savings, both during construction and in future operations.
- Lower Manual Workload: The operational efficiency of Tilt-Up concrete panels reduces prolonged manual labor, improving safety conditions and reducing worker fatigue. This fosters a more productive work environment that prioritizes quality.
- Environmentally-Friendly Concrete (Low CO2): One of our objectives is to collaborate with our concrete suppliers to incorporate low-emission concrete into all our projects, thereby reducing our carbon footprint. The use of Tilt-Up walls reinforces our commitment to minimizing environmental impact.
Supporting LEED® Certification Goals
Tilt-Up can be a strategic ally for projects seeking sustainable building certifications such as LEED®. To qualify, the required criteria must be met and adequately documented.
Some LEED® categories where Tilt-Up adds value include:
- Building Materials and Resources (MR): Use of local, recycled-content or sustainable materials.
- Energy and Atmosphere (EA): Improved energy use performance due to thermal mass.
- Sustainable Sites (SS): Minimal land disturbance during construction.
- Innovation (IN): Use of construction techniques that optimize resources and reduce environmental impact.
An Efficient, Resilient, and Cost-Effective System
Beyond its environmental and technological advantages, Tilt-Up wall panels stand out for their exceptional durability and low maintenance requirements.
The concrete panels are fire-resistant, withstand extreme weather, and offer a long service life, resulting in lower operating costs, improved structural safety, and more accessible insurance premiums.
Another key benefit is scalability. The Tilt-Up wall system adapts to projects of varying sizes and complexities, making it ideal for industrial facilities, logistics centers, warehouses, and build-to-suit developments.
Our Commitment Continues
At Hermosillo, we take our responsibility to the planet and future generations seriously. The implementation of the Tilt-Up construction system is a concrete example of how innovation aligns with sustainability.
“We aim to build a legacy of responsibility and respect for the environment, where the way we work, as Hermosillo collaborators, remains an essential part of our identity and corporate culture.” – Rafael Romano, New Business Development at Hermosillo.
By using the Tilt-Up walls construction system, we not only deliver sustainable design and construction with greater efficiency, but we also build with purpose.
Would you like to learn more about our Tilt-Up projects or how we can implement this system in your development?
Contact us. We’re ready to build the future you imagine—together.
