2025 Starnet grand prize winning project

Universal Metro Takes Home Grand Prize at 2025 Starnet Design Awards

April 25, 2025 — Santa Fe Springs, CA

We’re thrilled to share that Universal Metro, Inc. was awarded the Grand Prize at the 2025 Starnet Design Awards for our work on the Murrieta Hot Springs Resort project. This incredible honor was announced at the Starnet Annual Meeting in Carlsbad, CA, where top flooring contractors from across the country came together to celebrate the year’s best in commercial flooring design and installation.

Winning the top award is a proud moment for our team—but more than anything, it’s a reflection of the strong collaboration, thoughtful design, and attention to detail that went into bringing this beautiful resort project to life.

“We’re humbled and grateful to receive the Grand Prize this year,” said Dave Triepke, CEO of Universal Metro. “This recognition speaks volumes about the teamwork behind the scenes—from our installation crews to our project partners. We’re honored to contribute to such a meaningful transformation at Murrieta Hot Springs.”

 The Murrieta Hot Springs Resort grand prize winning project was a unique opportunity to blend historical preservation with modern wellness-focused design. Our flooring installation played a key role in achieving that balance, helping create a welcoming, tranquil environment that honors the site’s storied past while supporting its future as a top-tier destination.

Now in its 27th year, the Starnet Design Awards celebrate excellence in commercial flooring across a variety of industries. Projects are judged on creativity, technical skill, and overall impact—and competition is always strong.

We’re honored to have our work recognized among such inspiring projects, and we want to thank the entire team who helped bring this vision to life. From our client and design partners to our hardworking staff on the ground, this grand prize award belongs to all of you.

2025 Starnet Grand Prize project: Murrieta Hot Springs entry with reclining wooden slat chairs and brown floor tile
Murrieta Hot Springs Resort
Starnet 2025 Grand Prize winning project: Cafe Azuli order counter, decorated with beige and pink modern Spanish tile on the floor, counter front and walls. beverage centers on and behind the counter
Cafe Azuli, Murrieta Hot Springs Resort
Murrieta Hot Springs Resort shower room
Shower Room at Murrieta Hot Springs
transform your future at UMI Best-Places-to-Work-2024

Universal Metro Named One of LA’s Best Places to Work in 2024

Ranked #7 Small Business Best Place to Work by the LA Business Journal

At Universal Metro, our mission has always extended beyond floors — it’s about building a culture rooted in integrity, leadership, and shared purpose. That’s why we’re honored to share that we’ve been named of of LA’s Best Places to  Work For in Los Angeles by the Los Angeles Business Journal.

This marks our third consecutive year making the list, and each year it becomes even more meaningful. To be recognized not just for what we do, but for how we work together, is the kind of validation that reminds us we’re moving in the right direction.

What the Award Means

Every year, the Los Angeles Business Journal, in partnership with Workforce Research Group, compiles its “Best Places to Work” list by evaluating companies through two primary lenses:

  • A detailed company assessment focused on policies, benefits, and overall workplace culture.

  • An anonymous employee survey that measures team members’ real-life experiences and satisfaction across categories like leadership, communication, and engagement.

The process is comprehensive and honest — and we wouldn’t want it any other way. We’re proud that our team’s feedback played the biggest role in earning this distinction.

A Message from Our Leadership

When we received news of the award, our leadership team reflected on what truly made this possible:

“We are extremely honored to share a workspace with like-minded individuals who are ‘ideal team players,’”
“The nomination begins with an anonymous survey of our employees’ experience — and we are grateful they feel we’re creating something worth celebrating.”

At Universal Metro, we live by a simple truth: leadership isn’t a title — it’s a responsibility. That mindset, coupled with our commitment to values like humility, curiosity, and accountability, is what drives our workplace forward.

Why Universal Metro Stands Out

This recognition isn’t about perks or ping-pong tables — it’s about people, purpose, and progress. Here are a few ways our culture sets us apart:

1. We Build Leaders

From field apprentices to seasoned estimators, every team member has a pathway to grow. We invest in training, mentorship, and opportunities that challenge and empower individuals to lead with confidence.

2. We Live Our Values

Our hiring and team development are guided by three traits we hold dear: Humble. Hungry. Smart. These values show up in how we treat each other, solve problems, and engage with our clients.

3. We Collaborate Constantly

No silos here. Whether it’s estimating, project management, or on-site installation, collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. Questions are welcomed, wins are shared, and challenges are tackled as a team.


What Our Team Says

While the employee survey was anonymous, the feedback we’ve received internally continues to reinforce what we aim to build every day:

“I feel seen here.”
“Growth isn’t just a buzzword — it’s real.”
“We solve problems together, not in isolation.”

These statements reflect not just satisfaction, but trust — and that means everything to us.


Looking Ahead: Grateful, Not Complacent

This award is not our destination — it’s a milestone on a much bigger journey. We’re inspired to:

  • Continue listening to our team and improving the experience from within.

  • Expand our support for personal and professional growth.

  • Maintain a culture where accountability and kindness go hand in hand.

As we grow, we stay grounded in the belief that our people are our greatest asset — and their feedback, our greatest tool for improvement.


Thank You

To the Los Angeles Business Journal and the Workforce Research Group, thank you for this recognition and the thoughtful evaluation process.

To our employees — thank you for being the heart and soul of Universal Metro. Your passion, grit, and commitment to doing the right thing make our company what it is.

And to our clients and partners — thank you for trusting us, challenging us, and collaborating with us every step of the way. This recognition reflects what we’re building with you, not just for you.

Transform your future -employees sitting around a conference table with plans & computers
best places to work 4 Male Installers standing for photo in a warehouse
Labor appreciation celebration banner with images of the UMI workplace

25th Annual Labor Appreciation Party

Celebrating 25 Years of Dedication: Our Annual Labor Appreciation Party

At Universal Metro, we believe that our greatest strength lies in our people—the hardworking, skilled, and passionate individuals who bring excellence to every project, every day. That belief was on full display at this year’s 25th Annual Labor Appreciation Party, a milestone event that gave us the opportunity to honor and celebrate the incredible efforts of our commercial flooring installers.

Held under the warm Southern California sun, this special day brought together our installation teams, office staff, leadership, and valued partners for an unforgettable afternoon of gratitude, celebration, and connection. From the moment the grills were fired up, the atmosphere was filled with laughter, camaraderie, and the unmistakable sense of pride that comes from being part of something bigger than oneself.

As with every year, we kept the traditions alive—with delicious food, great music, and the kind of good-natured fun that reminds us all why this event has remained a highlight of our company calendar for a quarter of a century. From games and raffles to heartfelt conversations and shared stories, it was a chance to pause and appreciate the journey we’ve all taken together.

Thanks to the generous contributions of our vendor partners, we were also able to raffle off exciting prizes—a small token of appreciation for the big impact our labor teams make every day on job sites across the region. Their support helped elevate the day, and we are truly thankful for their continued partnership.

To every installer who has shown up day after day, year after year, delivering quality workmanship with professionalism and pride—thank you. Your commitment fuels Universal Metro’s success, and we are honored to celebrate you, not just at the annual labor appreciation party, but in everything we do.

Here’s to 25 years of appreciation—and many more to come!Labor Party 2

men sitting around a table outside enjoying lunch

people under pop-up canopy sitting at a large table with a green tablecloth