Plumbing Contractor News

Plumbing Company Celebrates Success Thanks Brown Root For First Break

Miami, Florida - Five years ago as Florida struggled to recover from one of nature's most devastating hurricanes, Marcus and Brenda Riggins faced a personal challenge-building a company up from ground zero. Their break came when Brown & Root, a global engineering and construction company, awarded the Riggins a $13,000 contract to provide utility connections to their office trailers in town. Brown & Root was under contract to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to hire and manage local subcontractors for the cleanup efforts following Hurricane Andrew.

"Brown & Root took a chance on us," says Brenda Riggins, vice president and administrator of MARs Plumbing & Mechanical, Inc. "We didn't drive up in pretty trucks or have matching uniforms like some of the other subcontractors who bid for work, but Brown & Root still gave us a chance." Since that first contract, MARs has secured more than $4 million in plumbing contracts and recently was named one of the top 10 Black Businesses in 1996 by the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce. In addition, the company is a finalist for the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce "Black Business of the Year" award.

In appreciation for its "first break," MARs recognized Brown & Root with an appreciation plaque during ceremonies held at company offices. Accepting the plaque were Bob Hoel, operations manager for South Florida projects, and Alan Undheim, subcontracts administrator. "Brown & Root's success on any job depends on its subcontracts," says Undheim. "MARs' performance on its first job was excellent, which led to subsequent opportunities."  MARs started with few resources and little financial backing. Marcus Riggins, president and CEO, explains that his equipment was lost to the storm and he had a difficult time obtaining financial assistance. With a $5,000 loan from a family member and the contract from Brown & Root, MARs got the break it needed. Since then, the company has won six-figure contracts including work for the Miami International Airport Hotel, the Jackson Memorial Hospital and Crandon Park Marina.

While the presentation ceremony celebrated five successful years of business, the Riggins reached another milestone when they received a $75,000 grant to become distributors for Almost Heaven, a national company that sells luxury heating items such as Jacuzzis, saunas, hot tubs and steam rooms. The grant was part of the Moss Plan, a blue print designed by Dade County Commissioner Dennis Moss for the economic recovery of hurricane affected areas of South Dade. The program, administered by the Metro-Miami Action Plan Trust, gives five African Americans seed money to establish individual franchises. In Florida, Brown & Root provides construction management services for the public and private sectors. As an advocate of the state's Minority Business Enterprise program, Brown & Root has been recognized by numerous organizations, including Tuskegee Institute and the University of South Florida.

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	Plumbers install piping in a house. Plumbers work from blueprints or drawings that show the planned location of pipes, plumbing fixtures, and appliances. |