Author: Kenzie Clouse

Titan Medical Group Knows Their Employees Deserve the Best

Posted on by Kenzie Clouse

After one year in the company’s new headquarters, Titan Medical Group has found their place. 

It’s hard to believe a year has passed since Ronco Construction put the finishing touches on the tenant improvement project for Titan Medical Group’s company headquarters. Completed in just five months, the third and fourth floors of the West Dodge Pointe office building transformed into a hub of innovation and collaboration. 

Learn how the 46,000 square-foot space has helped Titan foster creativity, productivity and a sense of community for their employees. 

Expansive Workspaces

One of the key features of Titan’s headquarters is the open office area that comfortably accommodates nearly 300 employees. The low cubical walls provide privacy and act as a sound barrier, while allowing for easy collaboration between team members. Add in the abundance of natural light from the big windows, the space feels bright and airy. Each team has their own floor and dedicated space, allowing them to hold group activities without impacting the other teams. The office also features a 545 square-foot conference room equipped with the latest audiovisual technology, enabling seamless presentations and virtual meetings.  

Enhanced Employee Experience

Simple yet impactful upgrades like having enough seating for teams, spaces for training sessions and an inviting breakroom help create a sense of belonging and a positive work culture within the organization. But Titan wanted their new office to address the entire employee experience. 

“The new building is beautiful,” explains Katy Hackworth, Titan’s marketing manager. “It offers our employees a fun workspace with many amenities. And gives us the opportunity for additional employee appreciation events that are a big perk. Events like a field day, holiday fun days and potlucks are possible now without feeling like we’re stepping on toes. The new space has helped us tremendously with team growth.”

With the new space, it’s easier to celebrate the most important part of their company — their employees. 

“Our employees work really hard and deserve nothing but the best.” said Hackworth. 

A Lasting Impression

From the minute you walk into the Titan office, you’re immersed in the Titan culture. The company’s signature colors of black and yellow are prominent throughout the office. And there are multiple word walls showcasing their values, company culture and brand. With the modern amenities and thoughtful design, the new office enhances the overall well-being of Titan’s employees and promotes the employee experience they were aiming to achieve.  

Restoring History: From Creamery to Library

Posted on by Kenzie Clouse

The Downtown Omaha Public Library

Omaha, Nebraska is a city filled with rich heritage. Anyone who has taken a stroll down the brick streets of the downtown Old Market can feel the history beneath their feet. As a city, we’ve taken great effort to preserve our historical buildings and roots, and one recent example of this is the opening of the Omaha Public Library’s downtown branch.

Reimagining a Landmark

Over 100 years of history is amongst the brick and mortar of a building located at 1401 Jones Street. This building was designed by renowned Omaha architect John Latenser in 1912 and originally served as the David Cole Creamery. When it closed in 1940, the building was renovated into cold storage, and later operated as an auto parts supply business before being sold to investors in 2013.

This project put our team to the test. Because with over 100 years of history also comes over 100 years of challenges hidden under the floorboards and between the walls.

“This project was one of the most challenging projects I’ve worked on in my 30-year career,” explains Senior Project Manager Mark Lawlor. “You can’t fully appreciate the transformation to the library unless you saw it in January 2022 at the very beginning. It was exactly as you’d expect a building to look that has sat neglected for nearly 30 years.”

The team discovered old tunnels in the basement approximately 20 feet below the floor. And what the tunnels were used for remains a mystery. Nearly a third of the floor and ceiling wood timbers had rotted away. They had to evict hordes of pigeons. And the bats. We can’t forget the bats. So many bats.  

The Transformation

Restoring life back into historic buildings is a way to connect the past to the present. Historic buildings add character and showcase culture and craftsmanship from a bygone era. While historic restoration allows us to reduce waste and conserve resources, it takes expertise and experience to provide the special attention these types of projects need. 

The Ronco project team embraced the opportunity to celebrate the building’s origins and breathe new life into the space. We took special care to preserve the authentic brick façade on the exterior. And inside, teams cleaned and preserved the original wood beams where possible. The tile walls once necessary for a creamery were restored. The original tile floor was preserved under specialty flooring. Once cleaner and structurally sound, the building started to look like something fit for the Omaha community. 

“This project required all my skills and knowledge,” said Project Superintendent Jason Kaeding. “From uncovering all the hidden issues to the structural unknowns and the replacing 150 timber beams, to rebuilding a large section of the lower exterior wall and replacing the entire second floor, I’m proud of the finished result. In 14 months, we repurposed and custom-fitted a 111-year-old building into a beautiful space. It fits perfectly with the Old Market feel but also serves the needs of the Omaha Public Library and Omaha community. This would not have been possible without the amazing group of subcontractors, the design team and the Ronco team.” 

A Modern Hub

The new downtown branch of the Omaha Public Library is more than meets the eye. Partnering with the design team and the library staff, Ronco worked to create an environment that seamlessly integrates modern amenities with the building’s historic charm. The library houses an extensive collection of books, computers and multimedia materials, catering to diverse interests and age groups. Some key features of the space include a special children’s area, a quiet reading nook on the second floor, private meeting space and conversation pods through the two stories. Beyond learning and research, the branch is a cultural hub showcasing murals by local artists and historic photos of the old creamery, blended into a colorful, fresh environment. 

From a neglected building to a vibrant and contemporary hub, the new downtown branch can serve the community for years to come. 

Safety in the Construction Industry 

Posted on by Kenzie Clouse

If you see something, you say something. 

Construction is one of the most important industries in the world, but it’s also one of the most dangerous. The jobsites we call home for months to even years offer different challenges and hazards every day. But the hazards are often preventable if proper safety protocols are followed. At Ronco Construction, safety is our number one priority. And we have many ways to keep safety top of mind like regular training and safety inspections. But the most important way is through our mantra of “See Something, Say Something.” 

Leading by example.

Through our day-to-day operations and activities, the first thing everyone needs to think is, “Is it safe?” 

“Safety needs to be second nature. We do it every day in so many parts of our lives. From protecting our homes and keeping it safe for our children, to on our jobsites or in the office. If you’re safe, it’s one less thing to worry about,” explains Ronco’s Chief Operating Officer and Safety Director Mike Langford. “My approach is treating people with the same respect that I would want. And I don’t ask people to do anything I wouldn’t do myself. I worked myself through the trades and into a leadership role where I can help people grow just like I have.”

Leading by example is core to Mike’s leadership style. And because he understands what it’s like to be working on jobsites, his approach resonates with the Ronco team. Now, others share the same passion for safety that Mike does.  

“Learning more about the approach to safety from Mike has been something I really appreciate,” explains Senior Project Manager and the 2023 Safety Committee Chair John Culver. “When Mike’s on the jobsite and identifies a safety issue, he does it from a teaching standpoint and lets the individual know why something unsafe and needs to be corrected.”

People like Mike and John are teaching our newer staff how to spot different violations and take preventative measures when needed. By explaining why something is unsafe in addition to showing how to do the activity in a safe manner, the learning opportunity moves from directive to hands on.

“I’ve been able to learn so much, both in the office and on the jobsite in my two years since graduating college,” said Kaylee Tobiason, Project Engineer. “I’ve walked jobsites with John and watched him point out things that need to be fixed and then explain why it was unsafe so I learn for the next time.”

When you see something, say something.

On our jobsites, at the office, in the field or at company meetings, our passion for safety is summarized into the simple mantra: See Something, Say Something. The basics? Anyone — in any role, any level, at any time — can speak up if they witness something unsafe happening. And while the direct, in-the-moment approach is the preferred method, we provide all employees with the ways and means speak up through our anonymous tip form and our open-door policy. 

“Strong voices, smart choices — the theme for this year’s Construction Safety Week — is exactly what we promote at Ronco when we say, “see something say something,” said Langford. “Sometimes you need the strong voice when you see something unsafe. And when you can do it in a way that’s respectful, it helps the individual learn and grow.”

It’s essential for construction companies to prioritize safety. And not just to meet legal requirements. It’s the right thing to do. This means providing workers with adequate training, ensuring they have the necessary equipment to do their jobs safely, and establishing and enforcing clear safety protocols on the jobsites. It also means fostering a culture of safety. A place where workers feel comfortable reporting safety concerns, and where safety is a shared responsibility across the company.

“We want to make sure we’re setting the benchmark for safety in the construction industry,” said Culver. “Safety is a crucial part of construction. It’s making sure you’re doing everything in the right manner, being aware of your surroundings and doing what you can to prevent hazards.”

You can’t overstate the importance of safety in the construction industry. We’re responsible for watching each other’s backs and making sure we all go home at the end of the day. 

A First-of-its-Kind in Nebraska Housing Project

Posted on by Kenzie Clouse

Streck’s apartment complex, The Nest, is officially ready for its new tenants. 

Around two years ago, Streck CEO Connie Ryan decided to take a different approach to recruiting fresh-out-of-college workers and other hourly staff. Build and offer to employees affordable housing near the office. Ryan had noticed that housing and transportation were impacting her current employees and she wanted to help. So that’s how the idea of The Nest apartment complex was born.

Streck owned a vacant lot next to their manufacturing facility in La Vista, so after talking with developer Burlington Capital, The Nest apartment complex project was put in motion. Holland Basham and Ronco Construction were brought on to take the project from vision to reality.

The Nest apartments are a 108,400 SF, three-building apartment complex. The 84 units are a mix of studio, one- and two-bed apartments. It features a clubhouse, outdoor pool, fitness center, community areas and underground parking. And the best part? It’s within walking distance from work. 

“If I could sum up my feelings about this project in one word, it would be refreshing,” explains Nate Bledsoe, the project manager for Ronco on this project. “Throughout design and construction, Streck’s perspective was never, “what’s the cheapest way.” It was always, “what’s the best end result for our employees.” Sometimes that meant changes after work was already in place. Or sometimes it meant using materials not typical in a multi-family project. To onlookers, this rationale may have seemed illogical. But it didn’t matter. They were willing to do whatever it took to make sure they had the absolute best finished product — because it was for their employees. And to work on a multi-family project with that point of view was refreshing.”

This development provides Streck employees the opportunity to live in a modern, luxurious apartment complex at an affordable price and marks a new style of employee-housing benefits in Omaha. 

“We’re very pleased with the initial response,” explains Ryan. “We needed something that defines us in a different way. I think the apartments do that.”

The apartment complex officially opened in April.