March – WIC Week
Welcome to the March issue of our newsletter. This month we hope to highlight the importance of women in the construction industry. Traditionally considered a male-dominated field, the construction industry is slowly but surely embracing diversity and inclusivity. Women are playing a crucial role in shaping the future of the construction industry, and their contributions are invaluable.
One of the main reasons why women are essential in construction is the unique perspective they bring to the industry. Women can offer a fresh approach to problem-solving and decision-making, which can lead to better outcomes and more innovative solutions. Women's perspectives can also help construction companies to better understand the needs and preferences of female clients, who make up a significant portion of the market.
Women also bring a unique set of skills to the construction industry. Although traditionally associated with physical labor, the construction industry requires a wide range of skills, including project management, communication, and leadership. Women excel in these areas, making them valuable assets to any construction team. Additionally, women bring a level of attention to detail and precision that can improve the quality of work on construction sites.
Furthermore, the construction industry needs women to address the current labor shortage. According to the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), women make up only 9.9% of the construction workforce in the United States. With the labor shortage, construction companies cannot afford to overlook half of the population as a potential source of skilled workers.
Finally, promoting gender diversity in the construction industry is not just about equality; it is also good for business. Studies have shown that companies with diverse teams perform better and are more innovative. Diverse teams are better equipped to tackle complex challenges and come up with creative solutions that may not be possible with a homogeneous team.
In conclusion, women have a vital role to play in the construction industry. By embracing diversity and inclusivity, construction companies can benefit from the unique perspectives and skills that women bring to the table. It is time for the industry to recognize and value the contributions of women and take active steps to promote gender diversity in the workplace.
Women’s History Month – Prominent Figures
In recognition of Women’s History Month, we want to shine some light on a few women who helped power life as we know it.
Edith Clarke (1883-1959)
Clarke's inventions made a difference in the world of electrical engineering and for women across the world. She became the first women to earn an electric engineering degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. As an engineer for General Electric, she invented and patented the Clarke calculator, a device that solved electric power transmission line problems. Among her many accomplishments, she was the first woman to deliver a paper at the American Institute of Electrical Engineers' annual meeting, first woman to teach engineering at the University of Texas and the first female Fellow of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers.
Marie Curie (1867-1934)
Curie's work helped shape the world we know today. She discovered uranium rays caused the air around a sample to conduct electricity, discovered the existence of two elements, polonium and radium, and coined the term radioactivity. Curie became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, the first person to win two, and the only person to win in two different sciences (physics and chemistry). During World War I she developed mobile X-ray units and radon gas syringes to sterilize wounds during World War I to help injured soldiers. It is estimated her contributions helped more than a million wounded soldiers. Just a few of her gender-breaking accomplishments include being the first woman to receive a doctorate from a French university, the first female professor at the University of Paris, the first women entombed in the Paris Panthéon based on her own merits.
Lise Meitner (1878-1968)
Meitner studied radioactive elements with Otto Hahn. After Hahn discovered that uranium atoms split when bombarded with neutrons, Meitner calculated the energy released from the reaction and named it "nuclear fission."
Safety First
At Southwest the Quality Control division is dedicated to making sure all staff, both admin and electricians, are duly trained and proficient in their position. This includes training on safety measures, on or off site, how to properly use equipment, as well as when and where to wear necessary PPE.
We take safety very seriously at our company, and we are constantly working to improve our safety protocols and procedures. We have an extensive training program for all our employees to ensure that they are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to work safely with all equipment on site. We also conduct regular safety audits to identify any potential hazards and take appropriate measures to mitigate them.
Our company mission is to always provide customers with top quality electrical installations and repairs that are safe and trouble free. Southwest is looking to not only provide the best customer experience but also the safest workplace it can for its employees.
Community Work
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Merit shops play a crucial role in the construction industry by offering competitive pricing, high-quality workmanship, and innovative solutions. However, in addition to their core business operations, it is important for merit shops to engage in charitable work to give back to the communities they serve. This can take many forms, such as volunteering time and resources for local projects, donating funds to nonprofit organizations, or sponsoring community events.
Charitable work provides numerous benefits for merit shops. First, it allows them to build positive relationships with the communities they serve, enhancing their reputation and earning goodwill. This can help attract new business and increase customer loyalty. Second, charitable work allows merit shops to contribute to causes that align with their values and priorities, making a positive impact beyond their core business operations. This can help employees feel more fulfilled in their work and increase their sense of pride in the company they work for. Finally, charitable work can foster a sense of teamwork and collaboration among employees as they work together towards a common goal outside of their usual work responsibilities.
In today's world, where social responsibility and community involvement are increasingly important to consumers, engaging in charitable work can be a powerful way for merit shops to distinguish themselves from their competitors and establish themselves as leaders in their industry. By giving back to their communities, merit shops can not only improve their bottom line but also contribute to a more just and equitable society.
At our company helping others is one of the core values. In 2022 we hosted 10 different charitable events: from month long raffle campaigns, and community hiring events, to sponsoring a local high school robotics team. To kick off 2023 we wanted to do much the same, so we decided to host a charity basketball match with a local construction company, Alpha Structural. The loser was tasked with donating $500 to the winner’s charity of choice. This match served as a fun way to get more of our staff involved and offered a different way to give back. Being held locally also helped build rapport with the local YMCA and Alpha Structural as well. We look forward to doing more of these kinds of events and hope to continue putting our all into to paying it forward.
Customer Spotlight | EVC Benefits
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In this edition, we would like to shine the spotlight on one of our valued customers, Eagle Systems. We recently completed an EVC installation project at a local Cadillac dealership. This is just one of many projects we have had the honor of completing for them.
For companies looking at EVC installation, here are some benefits to installing charging stations on commercial and industrial properties.
Cost Savings: By reducing the need for fossil fuels and decreasing dependence on traditional gas stations, businesses can save money on energy costs in the long run.
Improved Employee Satisfaction: By offering EV charging options to employees, businesses can improve job satisfaction and retain employees who own EVs.
Competitive Advantage: By offering EV charging options, businesses can differentiate themselves from competitors and gain a competitive advantage in their industry.
EV’s help to increase productivity and reduce energy costs. We are proud to have been able to deliver a solution that meets their specific needs and helps to support their business growth.
The energy industry is constantly evolving, and we strive to stay up to date with the latest trends and innovations. In recent news, there has been a significant increase in the use of electric vehicles, which has led to a growing demand for charging infrastructure. We are excited to be at the forefront of this trend and are working to provide solutions that meet the needs of this rapidly growing market.
Meet the Team
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Meet Lauren Bradley. Lauren joined Southwest Industrial Electric in 2021 and has been an irreplaceable part of the team ever since. Her role is the Executive Assistant to the CEO here at SIE. What interested her in this position was the space she was granted to grow and the ability to experience new challenges in her field of work. Most of Lauren’s career has been spent in a managerial role, which she believes has allowed her to be such a great fit for this position. Taking on this role has also allowed her to truly expand her field of knowledge in so many ways and bring much more value to the company.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
“I enjoy being surrounded with like-minded individuals who believe that the care of others is paramount to personal gain. In the contracting world, I’ve experienced first-hand how important customer service is when growing your business. I believe that a company’s top priority is making sure the person on the other end of the conversation feels well taken care of. That is what SIE does with not only their customers, but with their staff as well. They are always seeking ways to accommodate you and help you flourish and prosper in your career. Working closely with the CEO has helped me refine my skills as a leader and I’m very grateful to be a part of a team so wonderful.”
Customer Testimonial
“You guys have completed several jobs for us. Everything has gone great. I am talking to your team about other projects already. – Mike
Closing Thoughts
As always, we would like to thank our customers for their continued support and trust in our services. We are committed to providing the highest level of quality and customer satisfaction, and we look forward to continuing to serve our community in the years to come. If you have any questions or feedback, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Best regards,
Southwest Industrial Electric
