Speed and flexibility often differentiate success from setbacks in global logistics and infrastructure. As businesses face growing pressure to adapt quickly, modular structures are becoming a more innovative, faster solution.
At the center of this shift is a Chilean entrepreneur who saw the potential of temporary structures long before they were mainstream. Diego Huidobro didn’t come from construction—he built his path from the ground up, driven by a need to solve real-world problems with practical, adaptable design.
“My drive comes from my entrepreneurial spirit and passion for solving real-world problems,” Huidobro explains.
“When I started Toptent in 2010, the company initially addressed poor service in Chile’s tent industry for events. But I quickly realized there was a much bigger need—industrial and emergency solutions that could be deployed fast and adapted to changing environments.”
By 2014, he pivoted to industrial applications, recognizing the untapped potential of modular structures to solve critical logistics challenges.
“I saw a gap in the market for quick, reliable storage solutions,” Huidobro explains. “Traditional warehouses take months or years to build, with permits adding even more delays. Our modular structures can be up in days, offering the same durability at a fraction of the cost.”
This insight has driven Toptent’s meteoric rise, with Huidobro leading the charge to deliver over 10 million square feet of modular structures across Chile from 2015 to 2024. His technical expertise, honed through years of global research, distinguishes him.
He says his vision was always bigger than just business: “I wanted to create something tangible, something that directly impacted people’s lives—whether it’s protecting crops from harsh weather, providing shelter after a natural disaster, or giving a global company the space it needs to grow,” Diego says.
Huidobro has spent the last decade becoming a highly sought-after expert, transforming modular structures into a dynamic tool for industries that can’t afford to slow down. Whether mining equipment in the Atacama Desert or harvesting fresh produce in the Chilean countryside, his approach is simple: build fast and adapt even faster.
“I wanted to create something tangible, something you could see, build, and know it made a difference.”
He adds: “After years in financial services, I realized I was craving more hands-on impact. I wanted to be in a space where the work wasn’t just numbers on a screen but actual solutions to real-world challenges.”
Huibrodo’s ability to deploy large-scale, durable structures in days rather than months has positioned him as a trailblazer in logistics efficiency, earning accolades from multinational clients like Viña Concha y Toro and Acciona.
Eduardo Hormazabal, Engineering Manager at Viña Concha y Toro—one of the largest wine producers in the world—worked directly with Diego Huidobro during the development of a 70,000sf modular warehouse in 2022.
“From the first on-site evaluation to final delivery, Diego demonstrated exceptional leadership and technical acumen.’ Hormazabal says,
Recognizing Huibrodo’s superior expertise, he adds: “He provided a fully customized solution that accounted for the specific logistical challenges of our site and designed a structure that optimized space, climate control, and workflow.”
Huidobro’s commitment to advancing modular structures is reflected in his active involvement with key industry organizations. Since 2023, he has been a member of the Advanced Textiles Association and the Fabric Structures Association.
These two leading bodies promote innovation, standards, and collaboration in the technical and industrial fabrics sector. These affiliations keep him at the forefront of emerging trends, such as sustainable materials, structural performance, and climate resilience.
Huidobro actively contributes to the professional and entrepreneurial community through various memberships and mentoring roles. He is a member of Mana Tech, a technology and innovation initiative by Mana Common; the Chilean American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham Chile), which fosters cross-border business collaboration; and Fundación RE, a nonprofit organization dedicated to sustainable development and social innovation.
Beyond membership, Diego is deeply involved in mentoring emerging talent. He has guided university students through academic projects. He is currently preparing to serve on the board of Fundación RE, where he aims to expand his impact by supporting the next generation of innovators and business leaders.
Paula Estevez, CEO of AMCHAM Chile, has worked with Diego Huidobro through the Chamber’s selective Mentorship Circle for Internationalization in the USA, where he was invited to guide Chilean entrepreneurs expanding into the U.S. market.
“As a mentor, Mr. Huidobro has provided ongoing guidance and expertise to entrepreneurs navigating the complexities of international expansion.’ Estevez says, ‘In this capacity, he frequently serves as an evaluator and judge of early-stage and growth-stage business ventures.”
Huidobro also served as a mentor and judge for graduate student ventures focused on social innovation at Universidad de los Andes,
Diego Piedra, Associate Director of Student Development, worked closely with Huidobro during the university’s Cantera Program.
He recalls: “Mr. Huidobro’s engagement was instrumental in shaping the project’s final iteration and helping the students integrate real-world entrepreneurial thinking into their planning.’ Piedra says, ‘His feedback and evaluation played a key role in ensuring the initiative’s relevance, sustainability, and impact potential.”
Traveling to Germany, the United States, and China’s Canton Fair between 2014 and 2017, Huidobro sourced cutting-edge materials and designs, ultimately partnering with manufacturers for their high-quality, cost-effective aluminum frames and PVC membranes.
“We switched from heavy iron to lightweight aluminum, which is safer and easier to transport,” he says. “Our PVC coverings now have UV filters, are 100 per cent waterproof and fire retardant. They also have anti-fungus treatments, and blackout features, making them resistant to wind, snow, rain, and earthquakes.”
One of Huidobro’s most notable achievements is the 2022 project for Viña Concha y Toro, a globally renowned winery. Faced with the challenge of storing 70,000sf of finished products exposed to Chile’s extreme weather, ranging from scorching summers to snowy winters, Huidobro’s team delivered a modular warehouse installed in just six weeks. A traditional construction project, including permits, would have taken three years.
“Clients like Concha y Toro need solutions that not only safeguard their valuable inventory from environmental extremes such as heavy rain, snow, and intense heat, but also align with tight timelines and budgetary constraints,” Huidobro explains.
“Traditional construction methods can take years and come with high costs and logistical hurdles. We offered a game-changing alternative—a modular warehouse engineered to deliver the same level of durability and protection as a permanent structure. We installed the structure in six weeks, compared to the years it would have taken using conventional methods.”
Francisco Massu, Country Manager at Toptent, has worked directly under Huidobro’s leadership for years, witnessing firsthand the company's growth and transformation from a local provider to a regional infrastructure leader.
“What sets Mr. Huidobro apart is his ability to innovate at the intersection of design, engineering, and entrepreneurship.’ Massu says, ‘He pioneered the use of advanced materials—such as tensioned PVC membranes and modular structural systems—in contexts where agility, durability, and environmental adaptation are essential.”
This rapid-deployment model is the cornerstone of Huidobro’s approach. Unlike permanent buildings, which lock companies into fixed spaces, modular structures offer unparalleled flexibility.
“If a client realizes the space is too big or too small, we can adjust it in days,” Huidobro says. “That’s one of the key advantages of modular structures—its inherent flexibility. Our structures are designed to be scalable and reconfigurable, allowing us to expand, reduce, or even relocate them with minimal disruption. This agility is impossible to achieve with traditional concrete buildings, which are fixed, time-consuming, and expensive to modify. Whether a client needs more storage due to seasonal demand or wants to downsize after a project ends, we can tailor the space quickly to their changing needs.”
This adaptability proved critical for Acciona, a Spanish energy company operating in Chile’s Atacama Desert, the world’s driest desert. In 2023, Toptent delivered a 20,000sf modular structure to protect valuable equipment, which was erected in mere days where traditional construction would have been impractical.
“They needed a quick storage solution in a place with nothing around for miles,” Huidobro recalls, referring to a project in the remote Atacama Desert. “We were dealing with a highly isolated environment where traditional construction would have taken months just to mobilize materials and labor. Instead, we delivered and installed a 20,000-square-foot modular structure in a matter of days. This not only saved the client an enormous amount of time but also provided immediate protection for their sensitive equipment and valuable assets.”
Huidobro’s expertise extends beyond speed to the technical sophistication of his structures. His in-depth knowledge of materials, gained through 15 years of experience in the field, enables him to tailor solutions to diverse environments. From the arid deserts of northern Chile to the rainy south, his structures are engineered to withstand extreme conditions.
“Every project is a challenge,” he says. “You have to understand how materials react in different climates—desert heat versus heavy snow—and design accordingly.”
This expertise has earned him invitations to serve as a judge on logistics panels in Chile and to publish articles on the benefits of modular solutions, cementing his reputation as a thought leader.
Sustainability is another hallmark of Huidobro’s work. His modular structures are 100% reusable, minimizing waste compared to traditional construction.
“You can assemble, disassemble, and relocate our structures without generating residuals,” he explains. “Traditional warehouses take years to build and leave debris if demolished. Ours are up in days and can be reused indefinitely.”
This eco-friendly approach aligns with modern corporate priorities, appealing to clients like Goodyear, who have relied on Toptent’s structures for tire storage across multiple countries.
Huidobro’s vision isn’t limited to Chile. Since establishing Toptent, he has expanded into Uruguay, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, and the Bahamas, with plans to penetrate the U.S. market. His global perspective, informed by his MBA from Macquarie University and years of international sourcing, enables him to navigate diverse regulatory and cultural landscapes.
“Every country has unique needs,” Huidobro says. “What works in one market often needs to be completely reimagined for another. In the Bahamas, for example, we’re in the process of closing a major deal for large-scale modular structures designed to withstand the island’s specific environmental challenges, like high humidity, corrosive sea air, and the threat of hurricanes. It’s a complex project that requires not just technical expertise but also cultural understanding and local collaboration. That’s what excites me the most—learning from different markets, adapting our solutions to local conditions, and building strong, lasting partnerships with regional stakeholders.”
Clients consistently praise Huidobro’s professionalism and reliability. Surveys conducted for Toptent’s ISO 9001 certification reveal high satisfaction, with clients, such as those from the ALMA Sport Facilities project, lauding his ability to deliver as promised.
“We never promise more than we can deliver,” Huidobro emphasizes. “That’s a rule I live by. If I can’t meet a client’s timeline, budget, or technical requirements, I’m upfront about it from day one. There’s no point in overpromising and falling short—it only damages relationships.”
These clients rely on Diego’s team not just for the quality of the structures, but for the consistency in service and rapid deployment when timing is critical. In an industry where crop loss can happen overnight, that kind of trust is invaluable—and earned through years of showing up and delivering exactly what’s needed.
Huidobro is pushing the boundaries of modular architecture with technological innovation. He’s exploring automated systems that allow structures to assemble with minimal human intervention, potentially revolutionizing the industry.
“We’re working with partners to develop structures that can deploy almost by themselves—imagine pressing a button and the roof opens,” he says. “My passion for continuous improvement drives me to explore new technologies, like automated structures that assemble with minimal human intervention.
Rodrigo Gonzalez, Logistics Manager at Acciona Patache S.A.—a global leader in sustainable infrastructure—worked with Huidobro on a large-scale modular warehouse project in Chile’s extreme desert region between October 2023 and February 2024.
“Mr. Huidobro’s leadership ensured a successful outcome.” Gonzalez says. “He remained personally involved at every stage—from early design concepts and site analysis to material sourcing, team coordination, and final installation.
“The project faced numerous challenges, including harsh desert conditions, poor soil quality, high winds, and a remote location with limited infrastructure. Yet, under his guidance, every logistical and technical hurdle was addressed with precision and speed.”
Solar-powered features and electronic doors are already part of Huidobro’s growing portfolio, helping reduce energy consumption while improving usability in remote or high-demand environments. These innovations aren’t just about modernizing structures—they’re about aligning with a future where sustainability and innovative design are inextricably linked.
“We’ve added things like electronic doors and solar panels, not just to improve efficiency, but to make our structures smarter and more sustainable,” Huidobro explains. “It’s a way to future-proof our designs while meeting today’s energy and environmental challenges.”
Huidobro’s journey from a Chilean entrepreneur to a global leader in modular structures is a testament to his persistence and technical prowess. His ability to deliver rapid, sustainable, and adaptable solutions has redefined logistics efficiency, saving clients time and money while addressing complex challenges. As he continues to expand Toptent’s footprint, Huidobro remains driven by a simple yet powerful mission:
“Our modular structures are the best solution for storage problems,” he says. “They’re fast, reliable, and built to last—anywhere, anytime. We solve critical issues like time-sensitive storage needs, protection from extreme weather, and security concerns.”
With a track record that includes saving multinational corporations millions and earning international recognition,
“I want to be remembered as a highly professional and honest leader who consistently delivered innovative, reliable modular solutions,” Huidobro says. “My commitment to quality, sustainability, and client satisfaction—coupled with my willingness to take responsibility for mistakes—defines my legacy.”
