Competence: "It’s a Core Pillar of Our Success"
A culture of Competence is mission-critical for civil construction, design-build, and demolition.
We sat down with Joe Williams, president of Kimmins, to discuss how Competence is a core value that Kimmins lives, breathes, and brings into its work every day.
What does Competence mean to Kimmins?
Simply put, anybody can put a pipe in the ground, but it takes competence -- skill, experience, and knowledge -- to put it in so that it lasts for the next 50 years. Competence to me means the expertise and awareness that we perform each task with as well as the final quality and reliability we deliver on every project. When people see the “K” on one of our trucks or equipment, we want them to feel as if they’re getting the best of the best. That’s what Kimmins is all about.
Why is Competence so important to Kimmins?
One reason is because most our work is negotiated rather than bid. That is, we’re not hired for offering the lowest price. We’re hired because we guarantee the best work, and if we don't deliver and prove our competence time and time again, we don't get hired again. So we need to be the company that comes to your neighborhood, completes the job right the first time, and quickly moves out of your way.
Where are examples of your work in Tampa and Hillsborough County?
While every project is different, all require Competence. Some examples include these well-known projects:
Construction of new roads and infrastructure for Water Street in downtown Tampa.
Replacement of a water main for Harbour Island.
Demolition of a parking garage at Tampa International Airport.
Improvement of stormwater drainage in South Tampa.
Renovation of the Howard F. Curren Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Who does Kimmins strive to serve with Competence?
Our customers, for one. We strive to serve them by doing the highest-quality work, by being thoughtful and problem solving, and by fixing anything we do that is less than perfect. We foster Competence in our workplace by hiring only the most talented people, training them properly, and holding them to the highest expectations. We also demonstrate our competence to residents living in neighborhoods where we work. We know what we do can be disruptive. So, we try to do it as fast as possible and in the best way possible, to minimize our impact on the community.
Competence is one of the core pillars on which Kimmins was built since its founding in 1923. The others are Character, Considerate, and Community. In future blog posts, we will explore each of these topics as part of our 100th anniversary celebration.