2025 Starnet grand prize winning project

Universal Metro Takes Home Grand Prize at 2025 Starnet Design Awards

Posted by Jacqueline Dumbrille on

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
Universal Metro Named one of the Places to Work LA Business Journal cover page

Universal Metro Named One of LA Business Journal’s Best Places to Work in 2022

Posted by Alexis Triepke on

Universal Metro Named as One of LA’s Best Places to Work in 2022

We are thrilled to announce that Universal Metro, Inc. has been named one of the Best Places to Work in Los Angeles for 2022 by the Los Angeles Business Journal. This prestigious recognition highlights our continued commitment to creating an outstanding work environment for our employees. We were honored to be recognized in the Best Small Business category—an achievement that reflects our focus on building a collaborative and empowering company culture.

Why This Award Matters

The Los Angeles Business Journal’s Best Places to Work recognition is one of the most coveted awards in the region. With over 250,000 businesses in Greater Los Angeles, this award is an extraordinary honor for any company. The selection process is highly competitive, involving a thorough assessment that includes both employee feedback and business practices. Employees were surveyed anonymously about their experiences, providing invaluable insight into what makes Universal Metro a great place to work.

Our Employees Make Us Exceptional

At Universal Metro, we believe that our people are our greatest asset. This recognition is a testament to the “Ideal Team Players” who shape our company’s success each day. Our employees are not just contributors—they are the heartbeat of Universal Metro. From project managers to installation experts, every team member plays a crucial role in maintaining our high standards of quality and service. It’s their dedication, collaboration, and commitment to excellence that make us stand out.

The rigorous nomination process involved a detailed employee survey, assessing everything from team dynamics to personal experiences at Universal Metro. This feedback helps us continuously improve our work environment and ensures that we provide the best possible experience for our team.

The Best Places to Work Awards

The awards ceremony, held in August, celebrated the top businesses that exemplify best practices in employee satisfaction and workplace culture. The results were featured in the August 15, 2022 edition of the Los Angeles Business Journal, showcasing the most exceptional workplaces across the region.

We are incredibly proud to be featured alongside other distinguished companies that share our dedication to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and innovative workplace.

Read more about the Best Small Companies to Work For in Los Angeles.

Universal Metro’s Core Values and Culture

Our values—Humble, Hungry, and Smart—are at the heart of everything we do. These principles guide how we work with each other and with our clients. By fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous growth, we ensure that everyone at Universal Metro has the opportunity to succeed. It’s this commitment to employee development that sets us apart in the competitive world of commercial flooring.

Our leadership team is deeply committed to supporting every individual and ensuring that we provide an environment where employees feel respected, valued, and motivated to excel.

Looking Toward the Future

This recognition is not just an award—it’s a reflection of our continued commitment to growth.  We remain focused on maintaining an outstanding workplace culture. Our employees are the key to our success, and we will continue to provide a work environment where they can thrive, innovate, and grow.

We’re excited to see what the future holds, and we’re committed to keeping Universal Metro a top workplace for years to come.

https://labusinessjournal.com/business-journal-events/the-best-small-companies-to-work-for-in-los-angeles/

evolution of commercial flooring contractors - Floor Focus Cover

Evolution of Commercial Flooring Contractors: Interview with Grant Petruzzelli

Posted by Alexis Triepke on

In June 2019, Floor Focus Magazine published an article highlighting a panel discussion with four leaders from the Starnet Commercial Flooring network. Among them was Universal Metro’s president, Grant Petruzzelli, who joined his peers to reflect on the evolution of commercial flooring contractors and the opportunities—and challenges—shaping the industry.

You can read the full article here: Floor Focus Magazine – Evolution of the Commercial Contractor.

From Core Products to Comprehensive Services

A decade ago, commercial flooring contractors were largely focused on the basics: carpet, vinyl, and resilient products. At Universal Metro, much of our work centered on healthcare facilities, with sheet vinyl and linoleum being the dominant choices. Budget pressures often meant substituting with lower-cost finishes like VCT or broadloom carpet.

Today, however, the evolution of commercial flooring contractors has transformed the industry. Expanded budgets and greater design freedom have created demand for high-end, customized finishes such as polished concrete and porcelain tile. Contractors are no longer just installers; they’ve become single-source partners, offering a range of services under one contract.

At Universal Metro, this shift led us to expand into areas like moisture testing, infection control, and lift systems—services that add value for clients while reducing the need to coordinate multiple subcontractors.

Diversification Driven by Client Needs

Why have contractors broadened their offerings? The answer is clear: clients expect more. Facility managers and general contractors want bundled solutions, fewer vendors, and expertise across flooring categories.

Universal Metro has seen this firsthand. Facilities that once prioritized only cost are now focused on lifecycle value, performance, and long-term risk reduction. This has driven adoption of advanced moisture-control systems, epoxy coatings, and concrete underlayments—services that our teams have mastered through vendor partnerships and manufacturer certifications.

Other Starnet members echoed this trend, citing floor care divisions, stone restoration, epoxy coatings, and even wall systems as ways to meet client needs while strengthening margins. Simply put, the modern flooring contractor must evolve—or risk falling behind.

Growth Through Expertise and Partnerships

Adding new services requires more than just ambition—it requires knowledge. Universal Metro has invested heavily in training, certifications, and vendor partnerships with industry leaders like ARDEX. Our LevelMaster Elite Installer status and ongoing workshops with product experts have allowed us to bring innovative, high-performance solutions directly to our clients.

This commitment to expertise ensures that when clients choose Universal Metro, they’re not just hiring installers. They’re gaining a partner who understands the complexities of healthcare environments, corporate spaces, hospitality projects, and beyond.

The Future of Commercial Flooring Contractors

The panel discussion underscored a key truth: the evolution of commercial flooring contractors is ongoing. Contractors must adapt to market demands, expand capabilities, and deliver bundled, value-driven solutions.

At Universal Metro, this philosophy has fueled significant growth. By offering services others can’t—or won’t—we’ve expanded our client base, deepened relationships with existing customers, and set ourselves apart in a competitive market.

Conclusion

The commercial flooring industry looks very different than it did ten years ago, and it will continue to evolve. Contractors who embrace change, invest in expertise, and partner closely with their clients will lead the way.

Universal Metro is proud to be at the forefront of this evolution, delivering flooring solutions that combine innovation, compliance, and long-term value.

👉 Read the full article in Floor Focus Magazine: Evolution of the Commercial Contractor

More from UMI

Interested in learning more about our perspective on the flooring industry? Explore additional interviews with Universal Metro leaders to see how we’re shaping the future of commercial flooring, tackling unique challenges, and driving innovation across healthcare, corporate, and hospitality projects. Read more UMI interviews →

Training Day - ARDEX

Training Day at Universal Metro: Hands-On Learning with ARDEX and Silica Sand Compliance

Posted by Alexis Triepke on

Training Day: Building Skills and Strengthening Our Team

At Universal Metro, continuous learning is part of our DNA. Our latest Training Day brought staff and crew members together for an immersive, hands-on experience designed to strengthen skills, improve safety, and highlight the newest flooring innovations from ARDEX.

On Friday, our team participated in a series of ARDEX product demonstrations alongside a focused seminar on Silica Sand Compliance Training. These sessions gave our #LevelMasterElite Installers the chance to build on their expertise with direct, real-world applications while engaging in group discussions and Q&A opportunities.

ARDEX Product Demonstrations

The highlight of our Training Day was the opportunity to work directly with ARDEX’s latest product innovations, including:

These hands-on demos allowed our crews to experience the application process, understand product performance, and gain deeper insights into the durability and efficiency of these cutting-edge solutions.

Silica Sand Compliance Training

Following the demos, our team participated in an extensive seminar on Silica Sand Best Practices. This included a comprehensive review of compliance standards, safe handling procedures, and effective risk management strategies. A round table discussion gave our installers the chance to share experiences, ask questions, and collaborate on best practices that will carry over into the field.

Why Training Day Matters

Our investment in Training Day events demonstrates Universal Metro’s ongoing commitment to growth, safety, and quality. By empowering our team with up-to-date product knowledge and compliance training, we ensure that every project we deliver is backed by expertise, precision, and innovation.

We’re grateful to ARDEX for their partnership and to our dedicated staff for embracing every opportunity to learn and lead in the commercial flooring industry.

👉 See highlights from our Training Day here: Watch the video on Facebook

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Floor Trends UMI January 2017

Universal Metro: Growth and Success by Meeting Clients’ Needs

Posted by Alexis Triepke on with 1 Comment
January 6, 2017 Written by David Triepke on behalf of Floor Trends Magazine It’s never an easy decision to begin scaling your business for growth. When balancing the risks of new opportunities with the uncertainty of a stagnant national economy, the decision for any business owner to invest in growth is rooted in one key question: is this sustainable? By understanding our journey and our purpose, we at Universal Metro believe we can do so effectively, without compromising our service and value, by answering the call of our clients to serve as trusted advisors for all of their flooring covering needs.
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