Keeping Everyone in the Loop, Every Day

Since 1963, Pankow Builders has earned a reputation for creative problem-solving, engineering expertise, and construction innovation. Their approach is grounded in a "Master Builder" mindset: combining a curious engineer's drive to improve with a craftsman's dedication to quality. From complex design-build projects to tenant improvements in occupied facilities, Pankow believes in thinking beyond the building—and that includes how they communicate.

Pankow manages projects across California, where keeping hundreds of workers aligned on safety, logistics, and changing site conditions is non-negotiable. Before MindForge, site updates were passed along through the phone tree: superintendents calling foremen, who then relayed messages down the chain. But as Safety Manager Hector Flores put it:

“One guy always gets missed. You're the new guy, and everybody forgets about you. So now you're driving in from 200 miles away, and you show up to work. No one called you. They forgot.”

Today, Pankow uses MindForge to deliver timely, targeted messages to everyone on-site, not just supervisors. MindForge has become the jobsite communication backbone from the site orientation to daily updates to ensure no one gets missed.

Scaling with Results

With over 5,637 self-perform and trade partner workers onboarded, Pankow uses MindForge to orient and inform thousands of field workers across its project portfolio. In just 12 months:‍

• 14,000+ site orientations assigned
• 85% completion rate on orientations
• 58,000+ message views

These stats represent more than just activity; they reflect a cultural change toward proactive, consistent communication on every site.

From Orientation to Ongoing Communication

“When I do the orientation, I say: Look, this is for orientation, but the main purpose of this is for us to communicate with you guys.”
- Hector Flores

Pankow began by using MindForge to share digital orientation materials, toolbox talks, and safety training. That soon expanded to include daily alerts and updates about site access, energized systems, weather, and more.

“We're shutting down this area… so-and-so is working in this area…we want to make sure everyone knows what's charged and what isn't.”
- Hector Flores

Building the Habit with Creativity

Getting workers to regularly check updates took more than just good intentions. Hector started incentivizing engagement with creative giveaways:

• Thanksgiving raffle – three turkeys for workers who viewed a message.
• Tamale and pan dulce giveaways for those who acknowledged messages.
• Hockey ticket raffle promoted through MindForge and reinforced on walkthroughs.

“I said, 'Hey, did you see the hockey thing?' They’re like, 'What?' I said, 'You didn't check your MindForge?' The guy's like, 'Wait!' He pulls it out.”
- Hector Flores

These lighthearted efforts helped build a communication culture where workers now regularly check the app to stay informed.

A Platform for Everyone, Not Just Supervisors

“I can talk to one individual. I can talk to the entire job site. I can talk to the whole company.”
- Mike Hernandez

“We are able to take pictures and upload them… it streamlines our productivity.”
- Mike Hernandez

“It's easy to learn. That's what's key for the field guys.”
- Daniel Vengoechea

With MindForge, critical updates skip the game of telephone. Now the “forgotten guy” hears the same message as the foreman—on time, in his language, right on his phone.

Creating a Daily Communication Habit

As Hector explains, consistency is everything:

“When you send out a message once a week, once a month… people forget about it. You gotta keep it fresh in their mind.”

Pankow now sends updates daily, from shutdown notices to morale boosters. The goal is to make checking MindForge part of the job, but they also know not to overwhelm the crew. Using MindForge’s message scheduling feature, they balance timely updates with message fatigue and distractions, delivering critical information without interrupting productivity or overloading workers during the day.

Why It Works

Pankow’s success with MindForge comes down to a few key principles:

• Message everyone, not just management.
• Set up the communication channel as part of orientation.
• Reward engagement to build habits.
• Send short, relevant updates consistently.

By turning communication into a shared habit and making it easy, fun, and relevant, Pankow built a culture where every worker stays in the loop.

Ready to Reach Every Worker?

MindForge helps top contractors like Pankow create a culture of communication, drive safer jobsites, and engage thousands of workers, from the new guy to the veteran trade worker. If you're ready to build trust and drive real connection, reach out today.