Cool Offices: Heavy-duty truck dealership's HQ built around comfort, sophistication

By Imani Cruzen – Staff writer, Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal

Rihm Kenworth has only been in its South St. Paul headquarters since February 2018, but the space is already award-winning. The heavy-duty truck dealership won a NAIOP Minnesota 2018 Award of Excellence in the industrial build-to-suit category.

"I would say that most people who visit our facility are very impressed because it does not look and feel like a typical heavy-duty truck dealership. The feel of it is very modern," said Rihm Family Cos. Inc. Vice President J.B. Rihm.

The facility includes a truck retail space, warehouse, drive-through service area and wash bay, indoor truck showroom, and corporate offices. The drive-through service garage also can be found in the company's nearly identical Coon Rapids location, said President and CEO Kari Rihm.

Truck drivers waiting for work to be completed on their vehicles can use the South St. Paul's customer lounge or its adjoining patio. They also can use the building's laundry and shower facilities, and there's a designated walking area if they travel with pets. The lounge includes work tables, television, Wi-Fi and vending machines.

"Some of these drivers are on the road for a long time, and we want to provide them with some amenities while they’re waiting for truck repairs," Kari Rihm said.

Amenities in the building also keep employees comfortable. Shop floors are heated, locker rooms and a wellness room are provided, and spaces throughout the building are made available for lunch breaks. The whole facility also has a feeling of openness. For instance, garage doors were made with glass to allow in natural light.

“We’ve added a lot of windows and glass, interior glass walls to accommodate light to get through. So it’s a very bright area throughout the building,” J.B. Rihm said.

The company has brought a level of sophistication to the industry, Kari Rihm said. "Because of that, we've set ourselves apart as a place that's progressive, or a business that's progressive and inviting to employees and customers."