Welcome to our Spring 2024 Edition of The Tradesman Newsletter.

Spring is here, and March wraps up the first half of our fiscal year. As a reminder, our fiscal year runs from October to September. It seems as if we were just wrapping up fiscal year 2023. Our economic conditions and opportunities remain strong, and I remain optimistic that 2024 will be another good year for Stewart Richey!

This edition of The Tradesman highlights the "Stewart Richey Service Group." A bit of history for many who may not know is that in 2002, we recognized the need to separate our repair and maintenance services from our new construction and renovation contracting trades. This marked the formal beginning of two distinct areas of focus for our business. Today, we operate and market our Construction Services and Repair, Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance under two divisions: Stewart Richey Contracting Group and Stewart Richey Service Group. The Stewart Richey Service Group has steadily grown, and we have plans to continue investing in this area of our business to remain in growth mode. For more information related to Stewart Richey Service Group, be sure to listen to the podcast for this edition of The Tradesman where Robert Neyenhaus, Vice President of SRSG, and Lisa Grimes, Dispatch Manager for SRSG, delve deep into the past, present, and future of SRSG.

-Roddy Grimes, President/CEO

Spring has arrived, and we begin to share our Trades Proud stories for Stewart Richey Service Group! In our previous edition of The Tradesman, we shared with you our Contracting Group Trades Proud Videos. In this edition, we are pleased to share with you SRSG – HVAC Trades Proud Video. We have many more Trades Proud Videos in the works and will have many more to share in our Summer Edition of The Tradesman.

In closing, continue to be VERY PROUD of the work you do and encourage those around you to consider the Trades as their career path. Stewart Richey is the BEST place to work for those who desire to be in “The Trades”.

#teamstewartrichey #proudtobeinthetrades

Links to videos.

-Roddy Grimes, President/CEO

Safety Snapshot: Complacency

Complacency is defined as “calm contentment; satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies.”

Complacency happens because we perform many functions on a continuous basis. We are creatures of habit. Almost all jobs are repetitive in nature, and the more we repeat what we are doing, the better the chance at becoming complacent without even realizing it. Therein lies the potential danger. Have you ever said, “I can do this job with my eyes closed”?

Complacency also happens when employees get in a hurry and shortcuts are taken. Other co-workers see these shortcuts and think it is acceptable to do it. When the priority for production is higher than safety, safety will always suffer. We must continually communicate our concerns for safety and encourage employees to focus physically and mentally on their work. It takes one second of inattention, one moment of carelessness for an accident to happen.

So how do we battle complacency?

-Brandon Vickous, SHRM-CP, HR/Safety Director

Cody Rizzo, a Journeyman Plumber, and Dakota Kyle, an Apprentice in Stewart Richey’s Service Group Plumbing Division, have recently garnered recognition for their acts of kindness and thoughtfulness.

During a weeklong project in November within a community housing local refugees, Cody and Dakota were approached by several children curious about their service truck and equipment. The children also requested assistance in inflating their soccer ball, which Cody and Dakota were unable to fulfill that day. However, the following day, they returned prepared with the necessary equipment and even brought along a football from home to gift to the children. During their break, they engaged with the children, teaching them how to throw a spiral and fostering a positive interaction.

-Tiffany Shoemake, Prospecting and Marketing Coordinator

Employee Spotlight: Eli Rowe

Prepare to be inspired as we cast a spotlight on Eli Rowe, whose exceptional achievements resonate not only within Stewart Richey but also within the broader community. Eli serves as a Journeyman Plumber in the Plumbing Division of the Service Group, boasting nearly seven years of dedicated service.

In a recent interview, Eli shared his journey to joining the company, recounting how a referral from a former acquaintance led him to Stewart Richey. Initially pursuing mechanical work through VO-TEC school during high school, Eli discovered his passion for trades, opting to forego college in favor of delving deeper into this field. His decision to pursue a career in trade makes him a trailblazer within his family, breaking new ground in an industry seldom explored by his relatives.

-Tiffany Shoemake, Prospecting and Marketing Coordinator

Introducing the latest in sewer line cleaning and plumbing efficiency: our acquisition of the innovative Hydro Jetter. This cutting-edge technology propels us into a realm of unmatched effectiveness, reaffirming our dedication to delivering top-tier solutions for all plumbing needs.

A non-invasive plumbing solution that effectively clears pipes of debris, including tree roots, grease, foreign object obstruction, and buildup. These issues often cause recurring clogs and slow drains, potentially leading to sewer backups and water contamination and expensive long term repair costs.

-Tiffany Shoemake, Prospecting and Marketing Coordinator

The Tradesman Podcast:

Lisa Grimes & Robert Neyenhaus