Impacting Our Culture: The Story Behind Our Barbecue Trailer
Sometimes the simplest ideas have a lasting impact. At MTech, one of those ideas involves a grill and a table where everyone has a seat.
Long before MTech’s BBQ trailer became what it is today, the tradition started with a desire from the company’s founders to make sure every team member felt the value of the work they do every day. What started as a potluck style event at the office over 20 years ago eventually evolved into the BBQ trailer you see today at our jobsites.
“Sharing a meal face-to-face creates an opportunity to step away from titles and day-to-day responsibilities,” shares Tommy Dean (pictured right), co-founder of MTech. “The work we do matters for our community, and gathering as teammates is a way to express gratitude and show each person how important they are in the process.”
That idea has continued to grow alongside MTech and helped shape the One Team, All In culture we have today.
The BBQ setup has grown, too.
What began as essentially a smoker on wheels has evolved through several iterations into a custom-built trailer designed specifically for feeding a crowd. Today, it includes two grills, serving counters, storage and even umbrellas for some much-needed shade during summer cookouts. Designed by Tommy Dean, our BBQ trailer was fabricated in our onsite sheet metal shop.
But the equipment has never been the most important part.
The trailer travels to MTech jobsites to serve burgers, hot dogs and various smoked meats to our field teams and trade partners. The chefs? Our very own team members! On average, we visit 10 jobsites each summer, serving 100-200 people from our team, trade partners, and even client staff at each. For an hour or two, the focus shifts away from schedules, installations and the next deadline. People who may spend their days in different parts of the project get an opportunity to sit down, catch up and connect over a meal.
Photo drawn by Denver Children’s Home
Our BBQ trailer also travels to local nonprofits, many of which we’ve built or serviced.
Just this year, we’ve cooked for The Refuge, Craig Hospital’s Peer Mentor Dinner, Denver Children’s Home Field Day, and driven the trailer in holiday parades at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Those moments matter for us and our community.
Over the years, the trailer itself may have changed, but the reason we fire up the grills hasn’t. It’s more than just a BBQ trailer–it’s a way to show appreciation, spend time together and stay connected to the people behind our projects.
