The Electric Link – August 2025 Edition
Welcome to the August 2025 Edition of The Electric Link!
This month was all about connection — from industry events in Irvine, Los Angeles, and Long Beach, to key projects shaping our work at Southwest. In this edition, we share highlights from the construction expos, a featured project, a look back at an electrical milestone in history, and a spotlight on one of our own team members, Melinda Ruiz.
Industrial Construction Event – Bisnow, Irvine (Aug 5)
Our team attended the Industrial Construction Event in Irvine hosted by Bisnow. The event gathered leaders across the construction and industrial sectors to discuss trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future. It was a valuable chance to share insights and strengthen relationships in the industry.
Small Business Construction Expo – Long Beach (Aug 27)
We joined the Small Business Construction Expo in Long Beach. The event emphasized opportunities for small and diverse contractors to connect with major builders and agencies. It was a great platform to learn about upcoming projects and highlight Southwest’s capabilities in supporting larger developments.
LA Build Expo – Los Angeles Convention Center (Aug 27–28)
The same week as AGC’s Small Business Expo we participated in the LA Build Expo, one of the region’s largest gatherings of construction professionals. With hundreds of exhibitors and sessions, the event offered exposure to new technologies, products, and networking opportunities. Our team connected with general contractors, suppliers, and industry peers to explore future collaborations.
Project Spotlight: UPS
Our team completed an installation project for a major UPS facility, supporting their operations with reliable electrical systems designed for efficiency and growth. From planning to final testing, the work ensured that the site is equipped to handle demanding logistics needs while maintaining safe, continuous power.
This Month in Electrical History
In August 1881, the very first electric streetcar system opened in Berlin, Germany. Powered by overhead lines, it showed the world that electricity wasn’t just for factories and lights — it could move people and goods too. That leap into transit changed how cities were built and how industries connected. For distribution centers and warehouses today, it’s the same principle: reliable power makes movement efficient, whether it’s railcars in the 1880s or conveyors in 2025.
Meet the Team: Melinda Ruiz
What’s your role at SIE, and what brought you here?
Meet a member of our electrical team, Melinda Ruiz. Melinda is a foreman here at Southwest, she manages a team and runs various types of jobs, performing installs of various electrical components and more! What interested Melinda in doing electrical work was how constantly the world of electrical changes. She enjoys the fact that each day brings new and exciting challenges and that there’s so many aspects to the trade that she is constantly learning new things.
What Melinda enjoys most about working as an electrician is being a part of projects that start from nothing and being able to see the work through until the end. One of her favorite feelings is to have someone reach out and mention how happy they are with the work or to thank her for installing something that really benefited them.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
“I have loved every bit of working with Southwest Industrial Electric. Everyone here makes sure they are available to help, if someone ever needs anything, there is always a member of the team ready to assist. It’s feels like much more than an electrical company and I’m very happy to be a part of their journey.”
💬 Client Shoutout
“The service was great. Jesse came out and handled repairs for us. Everything has been fine since then. If anything else comes up, we will be sure to reach back out.”
- Hector, Remet Alcohols
📞 (323) 255-6563 | 🌐 southwestelectric.com