b'than designing a sort system to fit insideperformance and the building footprint. smart logistics With seven aircraft gatessix wide-bodyintegrationelements positions and one designated for Boeingthat contribute to a 777sthe new configuration significantlymore sustainable, boosts FedExs ability to handle bothhigh-performing domestic and international air freight. Thisfacility, says Ahmed is key for a large, fully integrated expressGaramoon, projectAHMED GARAMOON carrier like FedEx with a network servingcontrols manager withReliable more than 220 countries and territories andPMA Consultants. moving nearly $2 trillion in goods annually,Where appropriate, the new buildingssolutions for Wilson notes. include regionally sourced materials; where More warehouse space and improvedfeasible, designers specified low-flowyour airport plumbing fixtures, energy-efficient LED loading/unloading infrastructure werelighting and natural daylighting. Providingproject.added to streamline operations and decrease turnaround times. The Detroitnatural light helped us reduce the lighting ramp processes one of the highest dailyloads on the building, Nimry explains. outbound freight volumes in the U.S., andMechanical systems for the sort facility a larger sorting capacity was needed,were designed to meet standards of the Wilson says. Investing in automation andAmerican Society of Heating, Refrigerating enhanced sorting capacity for this locationand Air-Conditioning Engineers, but was key to better serve FedEx customersachieving higher efficiency was challenging in Detroit and beyond.because airside doors are often open. Environmentally friendly materials were Thinking Outside the Box prioritized, including low- or no-VOC To improve work conditions inside the newproducts, recycled content in the metal wall sort facility, designers took inspiration frompanels, and a light-reflective PVC roofing previous projects and specified translucentsystem to mitigate heat island effects.panels for the exterior walls. We put a lotContractors used recycled materials to of openings up high to allow natural lightcreate FAA service roads for the project to come down and give the employees asitespecifically Michigan Department of sense of not just being inside a big box,Transportation 21AA crushed concrete Nimry explains. aggregate for the base.The administrative building also emphasizes daylight and comfort, withPutting Detroitoffices located upstairs and a large light- on the FedEx Mapfilled break room on the ground floor.In addition to supporting logistical and The entire siteoperational needs, the new facility also emphasizes Detroits strategic importance was designed withwithin the FedEx network. BecauseA comprehensive future scalability in mind, including apronDTW is one of the busiest airports in therange of trench country and offers extensive cargo handling space available forcapabilities, its an ideal location for a FedExdrainage solutions potential expansion. As future demandramp to efficiently handle a large amountfrom pedestrian of air freight, Wilson explains. Having a grows, the site canHENRY BECHT presence in Detroit helps FedEx enhanceapplications to airport easily be expanded to the east, says Henry Becht, Kimley- its operational efficiency and better serveand port loading its customers. By consolidating all sorting Horn civil engineer and designer for airsideactivities under one roof, the new facilityenvironments.components at DTW. streamlines the process, shortens sort times Sustainability efforts were guided byand enhances overall reliability and efficiency.LEED-focused goals and efficient site logistics to support airside and landsideThough it shares features with the recently constructed FedEx facility atLearn more at ejco.comoperations. The project team coordinatedOntario International Airport (ONT) inor call 800 626 4653closely on incorporating energy-efficientCalifornia, the new DTW ramp facilityMade in the USAsystems, optimized building envelope AirportImprovement.comSeptember 2025'