McKinstry -- employees build the foundation of success

BY JOHN MESENBRINK,

chief editor

Move over Starbucks. Move over Microsoft. As far as notable companies to work for in the Pacific Northwest, McKinstry Co., Seattle, is topping the charts. Regarded as one of the best places to work for -- according to Seattle Business Monthly, (June 2007) and the top vote getter in Washington CEO (July 2007) -- Phc News’ discerning editors had to investigate what the rage was all about.

What we discovered was that McKinstry’s internal business model is second to none.

Changing corporate culture

During the mid-90s, with technology and diversity becoming more commonplace in the industry, and the addition of more servicing, McKinstry witnessed the ramp-up of its business and it identified the need to find and retain solid employees. It needed to build a business model that could sustain. McKinstry didn’t just want to be known as a big company. Management started asking itself, “Where do we want to be in 10+ years?”

Developing what is commonly referred to as its goal to become a “Preferred Place to Work” (PPW), McKinstry focuses on structuring goals and policies for its employees to better fit work/life balances. Where else can you find a community center, library, a cafeteria with local and gourmet menu options, and a fitness center and gymnasium -- with a membership fee -- in a workplace? Other employees perks include in-house McKinstry universities, which feature attention to women’s health, banking and financial responsibility, a wine tasting club and participation in renewable energy projects.

“You need to give employees some guidance and put them in a setting where they can be productive,” said Dean Allen, ceo, quoted from Washington CEO. “Our view is, everyone who comes to work for us wants to be productive and wants to do a good job. So, we provide them with the tools needed,” He added: “That’s sort of a virtuous cycle that’s created, honoring them so they have the tools they need.”

And with continued growth comes the challenges for flexibility, communication and adaptation. Displaying its flexibility, Dean Allen or McKinstry president Doug Moore host quarterly “fireside chats,” in which time is spent in front of a fireplace at the Seattle plant, discussing the state of the company and answering employee questions.

And, a lot of the kudos can go to Mari Anderson, vice president of corporate development and human resources, whose 15 years of employee dedication and idealism has created the culture of involvement. Employees with purpose have flexibility and a variety of options to engage them.

Inside the numbers

The burgeoning company has nearly 1,500 total employees -- 1,000 field workers and 500 knowledge workers -- in offices in Portland, Spokane, Tacoma and Boise, and in January opened new facilities in Denver and Minneapolis. Approximate revenues will have reached 2007 numbers of $325 million.

McKinstry originated as a plumbing and piping services firm. Since then, McKinstry added sheet metal (HVAC), fire protection and temperature controls to its core capabilities and pioneered the design/build method of mechanical construction. Today, McKinstry is an integrated, design/build maintenance company.

The company’s breadth of services in the commercial, life sciences, institutional and high rise residential sector includes:

• One third plumbing, piping and fire protection;
• One third sheet metal and HVAC; and
• One third services, maintenance and customer support.

Through Dean Allen’s vision, McKinstry’s capabilities evolved to include energy efficiency and sustainable services and established McKinstry as a leader in the industry.  As CEO, Dean oversees a staff of over 1,500 employees. Dean has served with a variety of industry organizations including the MCA of Washington. Dean is actively involved in global health philanthropy and currently serves on the boards of Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, Global Partnerships and path. 

McKinstry president Doug Moore’s extensive knowledge of the construction industry includes Pre-Construction Services and the strategic integration of design activities, budget models, constructability reviews, early procurement of equipment and building automation systems, and Building Information Models (BIM). As McKinstry’s chief mechanical engineer, he is a registered professional engineer in the states of Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Idaho. In addition, Doug advocates McKinstry’s commitment to sustainability and is a LEED-Accredited professional. Doug has served on various industry committees and is a past president of the Puget Sound Chapter of ASHRAE. He is currently on the Advisory Board for Seattle University’s Center for Leadership Formation and is a corresponding member of ASHRAE’s task group on HVAC contractors and design build firms.

“We are the most mature full-service building and maintenance operations firm in the MCAA and PHCC audience,” said younger brother David Allen, principle and executive vice president of business development and branding for McKinstry. In addition to his duties at McKinstry, Allen serves as board chair of the regional economic development council of Seattle and recently was appointed to chair the newly established Washington Clean Technology Alliance, a statewide trade council whose members include businesses, public agencies and environmental advocates who represent every segment of the emerging clean technology industry.

Boasting another glowing mark on its resume, the company’s dedication to safety is obvious. With one of the lowest mod factors of mechanical contractors in the state of Washington, McKinstry has proven safety to be a value on every project. This is reflected in the commitment to educate and train company personnel.

As a member of the Washington Drug Free Business, McKinstry is proud of its drug-free standing, as well as in its involvement with the AGC Safety Council, MCA Safety Council, SMACNA Safety Council, Seattle and Vicinity Construction Safety Council and the Puget Sound Area Safety Summit.

Clean building

Mckinstry is very much involved and dedicated to the green movement, or clean energy sustainability.

“Sustainable building is more about how a facility is operated than how it is constructed,” said David Allen. With its 30 leed-certified employees and its responsibility to the design of high-performance buildings, McKinstry is clearly a leader in the clean technology movement. McKinstry is, and always has been, synonymous with clean technology for high-performance buildings -- renewables, recyclables, biomass, water conservation and energy efficiency, to name a few -- and its leadership role in its energy services that are implemented into building design.

Community involvement

McKinstry’s commitment to the surrounding community is unsurpassed. “We always have been a participating company in our community,” said David Allen.

As McKinstry continues to prosper, so does the McKinstry Company Charitable Foundation, donating over $1.5 million since 1999, said Paula Wolf, assistant to CEO Dean Allen. The Foundation targets charities in the health and sciences and global health sectors and youth and education -- Boys & Girls Clubs and the YMCA, for example.

Proof in the pudding

Added comments at the end of the online version of the Washington CEO’s, “Washington’s Top 100 Best Companies to Work for 2007,” uncovered this entry from a new employee:

“As a new employee of McKinstry Co., I am very pleased to learn of all the opportunities that were presented to me in the last few weeks. I picked the correct company to join forces with. Of all the companies I met with, McKinstry’s treatment of me during the interview process was hands down the most enjoyable job-hunting experience I have ever had. As I start my chapter in my career with McKinstry, they have already made me feel like I am part of the family. My sincere congratulations go out to all the people who have made this company truly a great place to work,” blogged Mark K.

“We have a friendly, open place for our employees. We cater to an environment where people feel comfortable and included,” said David Allen. “We’re proud of our company, our employees, and how we’re perceived in our community and our industry.”