Robert Gibb & Sons: Reliable, Tech-savvy Mechanical Contracting Leaders

The Gibb family has spent the past 97 years building Robert Gibb & Sons (RGS) into one of the most trusted names in mechanical contracting within North Dakota. Aside from its trusted name, the company offers a diverse range of services and unparalleled customer service. Residential, commercial and industrial clients within the Fargo-Moorehead area call upon RGS for responsive electrical, plumbing, cooling, heating, sewer and water services and an enthusiasm for technology that rivals its longevity. Today the third generation of the Gibb family has taken the helm of the company, preserving the RGS tradition of excellence through craftsmanship and continued training.

RGS currently operates from headquarters in Fargo, N.D., and a satellite branch on the opposite side of the state in Williston. This enables the RGS team to take jobs of every size across the state. Over the course of its history, the company has grown by proving itself above the competition. Even three generations into the legacy, the RGS team continues to be just as committed to meeting the client’s evolving needs as day one.

“It’s not just about maintaining our reputation for doing a good job that sets us apart from competitors,” says Gregg Gibb, vice president of RGS. “It’s about always challenging ourselves to redefine what it means to do a good job.” To that end, RGS became a member of The Unified Group in 2010, an alliance of more than 50 like-minded HVAC contractors dedicated to raising the bar for the HVAC industry through continual training.

Expanding Focus

RGS employs a team of internal engineers and a division for water, sewer and utility projects, which have helped the company establish a foothold in the public market. In 2011 RGS completed a major retrofit at the Fargo Post Office building for the General Services Administration. “It was a great project for us and actually one of a number we performed as part of a state-issued stimulus package,” explains Robert Gibb, president of RGS.

Additionally, RGS will be contributing to the total mechanical system design for the new $360 million Medical Center at Sanford Health in Fargo.

The RGS team has been able to maintain momentum by investing in technologies and resources that increase the value of every service, which is especially in today’s market, where value is overshadowed by the lowest bid. RGS opened the Williston office to extend its geographical footprint and client base, but the extra workforce also means reduced commute times and better service response by extension.

Similarly, RGS developed a set of maintenance plans to extend the life cycle of every mechanical system. The Gibbs Maintenance Plan tackles both predictive and preventative maintenance issues so that mechanical systems avoid major breakdowns. RGS starts with a full inspection of the facility’s mechanical systems at no extra charge and designs a maintenance plan to fit the client’s operational needs and budget. When unexpected hiccups arise, clients also have the option of scheduling an appointment online or calling for emergency 24/7 service for more urgent situations.

Technology that Works

More recently, RGS invested in technology that allows users and the RGS team to monitor a system’s performance remotely. Together with Pedigree Technologies’ OneView system and navigation devices from Garmin Ltd., RGS implemented the HVASee Remote Monitoring plan: a machine-to-machine system that notifies a client of potential mechanical system service needs through email or text message. RGS understands that no mechanical system chooses a convenient time to breakdown, but the HVASee system can help reduce downtime by identifying a small problem before it becomes a major problem.

In addition, the HVASee service enables RGS to anticipate service calls ahead of time and prepare accordingly, slashing service delivery costs in the process. The Garmin technology notifies service technicians in the area of a problem, which further reduces response time as well as cutting service calls by more than half, according to RGS.

“We’re always looking for ways to reduce risk for our customers, and the HVASee technology is a real win-win,” says Greg. “Clients save on costly repairs and our operations run more efficiently, which helps our own bottom line.” In the end RGS took home the 2011 Gold Value Chain Award from Connect World magazine, which recognizes corporate leaders for successfully integrating machine-to-machine technologies and connected devices.

In the next few years the RGS team hopes to continue improving the value of its services with technologies that increase efficiency and extend the life cycle of all mechanical systems. The new Williston location will help the company capitalize on emerging opportunities from the petroleum-rich region’s economic growth, and as the RGS team turns the corner into its next 100 years the Gibb family will be standing by to ensure that Robert Gibb & Sons Inc. upholds its reputation for quality work and great customer service.