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Author Archives: Bridget Willard
Embracing Today’s Technology: Social Media
Automatic Telegraph Receiver patented by Samuel F. B. Morse, 1837 (Creative Commons cliff1066™’s)
“This telephone has too many shortcomings to be considered as a means of communication. The device is of inherently no value to us.” ~ Western Union internal memo, 1876
Whenever any new technology hits the scene there are always two groups of people: early adopters and nay-sayers. And it’s amazing when you read some of the quotes from top industry moguls, especially those to whom the “new” technology poses extinction to their own.
Young girl listening to the radio during the Great Depression. 1938 – 1945
Whether it was skepticism from the telegraph folks over this new “wireless” device (the radio), or nay-saying from the radio and movie folks about the television, or ludicrous claims from IBM et al that computers and fax machines would hold no practical value, the early adopters lead the way to prove them all wrong. Early adopters are usually very passionate and enthusiastic. They are great sources to watch and see if this technology is worth the time or cost associated with its use. Continue reading
Matrix Services
We were commissioned to design and construct a 19,870 square foot, two-story office building and a 32,400 square foot metal manufacturing facility for Matrix Services. An existing structure located on the 4.58 acre site was demolished and various city street improvements were completed.
The office structure was improved featuring eleven HVAC units and a 400 Amp service panel to accommodate the training areas, conference rooms, lunch areas, and forty private offices. Knockout panels were designed within certain exterior walls on the second floor to accommodate windows for a future 4,000 square foot office expansion area.
The 42-foot high metal building includes three bridge crane systems, six roll-up doors, and roof-mounted exhaust fan systems with side wall intake louvers. Pit structures were constructed and a 1600 Amp service panel was installed to accommodate the manufacturing equipment needs.
This facility includes restrooms, office and storage rooms, and a lunch area. A large, visually-screened storage yard was developed adjacent to the manufacturing facility to house Matrix Services’ raw and finished products.
No matter the size of the project, from dugouts to tilt-ups, water closets to roofing, ground-ups to tenant improvements, Riggins Construction & Management, Inc. has been pleasing our clients for over 33 years.
Saint Jeanne De Lestonnac School: Field of Dreams
Riggins Construction & Management, Inc. contracted with Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac School to build dugouts and a restroom/storage structure at their synthetic turf sports field project, Field of Dreams.
All four of the dugouts and the restroom/storage facility received a Custom-Bilt Metals, standing-seam metal roof in Regal Blue, a complementary color to the bright green synthetic turf. A glass block wall adds natural light to the north end of the storage room which houses specialized maintenance equipment for the field. As a finishing touch, all exposed roof-framing elements were painted to match.
We have had several jobs done at our school and convent in Tustin by this company… We have been pleased with their work, as well as their professional approach to the process from bidding the job to completing it. ~ Sister Mary Salud Estrada, O.D.N.
The school colors were carried throughout the design of the restrooms which had french blue phenolic toilet partitions and ceramic tile floors and wainscoting. Electronic, sensor-controlled flush valves, stainless steel sinks, and water closets were installed as well as automatic hand dryers and motion-sensor controlled lighting. Just outside of the restrooms, a set of handicap-accessible drinking fountains are an oasis for thirsty athletes and spectators alike.
All structures, including the 16″ grotto planter, free-standing masonry wall for privacy, and pilasters at the entry gate, were built with split-face CMU (Concrete Masonry Unit) technology, both durable and functional, with an attractive pattern. To protect the beauty of the masonry, each structure was finished with an anti-graffiti coating.
Riggins Construction & Management, Inc. was pleased to participate in this worthwhile project that is a functional, yet attractive, part of our community.
Case Study in Customer Service – Twitter Style
Lately it seems that anyone I talk to about social media is scared of twitter. It is perceived to be a “new techy, geeky thingy;” and closer to the truth, we are scared of the unknown. What’s worse, there have been many nay-sayers, lawyers with postings on possible arbitration, and skeptics who expect Twitter to either have a quick turn around (ROI) or it’s deemed a waste of time.
As an experiment, we began our twitter account in March of 2009 and slowly began following peers in our industry, local businesses, and the like which lead to a group of followers and a voice within the construction industry and community here in Orange County, California.
In August of 2009 we began the first phase of a large, two-phase project in Chatsworth, California, for a returning client, Earth Island Natural Foods, the manufacturer of the Follow Your Heart product line. Imagine our surprise when the mention column of tweetdeck showed a disgruntled employee of our client!
@DanielleJangmi: @rigginsconst you guys are sure making a lot of noise downstairs here at Earth Island! my head hurts and its only 8:30am!
What should I do? This is where everyone freaks out about being a business on twitter: negative comments on your service, brand, or product. I will admit that I hesitated a bit, but once I saw this tweet from the head chef one of the chefs at our client’s facility, I put a call into our field superintendent, Mike Schnabel.
I informed him of the content and he immediately went upstairs and spoke with Danielle, explaining the situation to both her and her co-workers. Continue reading