Repeat Performance: Meridian firm wins Specialty Contractor honor for second year in a row

Two projects, vastly different from each other, have led to a repeat honor for an electrical engineering firm in Meridian.

For the second year in a row, Rocky Mountain Electric has been chosen as the Idaho Business Review Top Projects’ Specialty Contractor of the Year. The company was nominated for its work on a manufacturing plant and a brewhouse.

“Being selected as the Specialty Contractor for a second consecutive year is a true testament to the strength and dedication of everyone at Rocky Mountain Electric,” said Tyler Bowen, CEO of RME. “This recognition reinforces to general contractors and clients across the state that we consistently deliver at the highest level. Every project we take on is approached with professionalism and an unwavering expectation of excellence, guided by our core values of willingness to learn and grow, loyalty, leadership and professionalism.”

The specific projects that RME was nominated for are both found in this year’s “Private” category, and both were expansive in their scope of work.

JTS – Mission Critical Group Building is a 172,000-square-foot building on 14 acres. It features a high-bay manufacturing area, warehouse space, office and support areas, and is meant for the assembly, testing and shipping of JTS’s engineered power systems used in data centers across the country.

“[Rocky Mountain Electric] consistently demonstrated exceptional craftsmanship, professionalism, and dedication throughout the duration of the project,” wrote Adler Industrial in their nomination of RME for the JTS project. “Their team, from ownership to field superintendents, showed up with a high level of expertise and leadership, most notably Tyson Cranney and Danny Hawton-Hill, who were instrumental in daily coordination and problem-solving.”

According to Adler, RME’s most notable accomplishment on the job was the installation of a 95-cubic-yard duct bank with more than 40 four-inch conduits which provide more than 6,000 amps of service to the structure. “This complex task required extensive planning, precision and teamwork – all of which RME executed flawlessly.”

The other project RME was nominated for, Loose Screw Beer Co. in downtown Meridian, was the conversion of a former funeral home into a brewhouse with an onsite brewery.

“Turning an old, blighted building that was never intended to house a brewery into one of Idaho’s top breweries was no small task,” Garcia said. “The electrical design build was one of the most critical aspects of the project, and Rocky Mountain Electrical was hands-on from day one, exceeding our expectations at every step.”

He said that brewing has “constant and complex” needs when it comes to electricity, and RME’s involvement made the difference in it being a successful project.

“It called for creativity, technical expertise and close coordination to bring a one-of-a-kind vision to life,” Bowen said of the Loose Screw project. “We are grateful to owner Mike Garcia and the Saucerman Construction team for their partnership.”

Though Loose Screw Beer Co. had its challenges, Bowen noted that the JTS project had its own set of challenges, especially that of time.

“The JTS – Mission Critical project was the first of its kind in Idaho, and it showcased our ability to deliver on a fast-paced, highly technical build,” he said. “It required precision, collaboration and relentless attention to detail, and our team rose to the challenge.”

That team is now comprised of about 180 employees, with 20 of those in Utah, Bowen said. “At the end of last year, we partnered with Magic Valley Electric, which added around 50 employees to our Boise operations. This opportunity allowed both companies to strengthen our workforce and expand our ability to take on larger, more complex projects across the state.”

Despite the accolades for a second year in a row, RME isn’t letting the honor go to their heads. Bowen said if anything, it means working harder.

“We take these awards seriously, using them as motivation to continue growing, improving and pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve,” Bowen said. “Equally important, we bring this recognition back to our team, highlighting that it is a direct reflection of the dedication and expertise of our employees at every level.”