Gloria Clark (President of NKBA CCC), Carrie Boesch (Sponsorship Chair, NKBA CCC), Gavin McClure (Territory Manager for Riggs Distributing covering Greater Sacramento and Reno/Tahoe markets), and Marissa Durazzo (Marketing, Communications, and Showroom Team Lead for Riggs Distributing) got together for a chat about all things Riggs. Here’s a summary of the interview that will answer all of your questions about Riggs’ products.

We feel so lucky to have a wonderful company like Riggs to partner with and support NKBA CCC.
For those who don’t know, Riggs is an exclusive distributor of Wolf, Sub-Zero and Cove in California, Hawaii, and Western Nevada. They have been around for over 40 years. Their core focus is to provide exceptional support through quality interactions and amazing experiences. They offer great products, but at the end of the day it is all about the emotional connection and relationships with great partners like NKBA CCC, great trade partners, specifiers and homeowners. They are very proud of their company culture. It is a tight, family-run company with 4 main core values. First is to Be Bold - innovative and creative. Second is to Be Open - explore new ideas and opportunities. Third is Be Gracious - be welcoming and inclusive. And fourth is Be All In - be passionate and dedicated to making kitchen dreams come true. 

Sustainability is such a big word, and it is so important not only to the future of our world, but to right now. A key to Riggs products is innovation. Sub-Zero in particular is the preservation specialist. The food lasts longer in a Sub-Zero unit which equates to less food waste and spending. Of course there are many products in the line with an Energy Star rating. Durability is also an important factor in Riggs products; they are built to last 20+ years. Sustainability is at the forefront of the production process as well. 75% of the stainless steel and 50% of the plastic used at the factory is recyclable and is recycled whenever appropriate. A vast majority of the products are made in the USA, so we aren’t importing them from overseas. Next time you are lucky enough to attend an event in the showroom, you might taste homemade jams or pickles made from surplus produce so it doesn’t go to waste! These are created using the amazing Wolf Steam Oven. (If you know Gloria at all, you know that this was the part of the interview where she lamented her bad luck at not having a Wolf Convection Steam Oven in her home. I sincerely hope Gavin is looking for an “extra” one for you Gloria, Christmas is coming!)

Riggs partners with NKBA because right at the center of their core values is the importance of relationships with their trade partners for building their brand. Riggs, as a company, recognizes the amount of power specifiers have, and they want to foster/ build/ maintain/ and cultivate those relationships within the trade community. Their partnership with NKBA has been more than a decade long, which has really helped them network with people in the industry who can not only help their business, but to whom they can also help. Relationships are reciprocal. That is what is special about our industry, we want to know how to support each other. Having relationships with the people selling the products gives Riggs a better pulse on what is happening with the consumer. 

One of the ways we, as NKBA members, support Riggs Distributing is by selling their products. What can we do when we hit a stumbling block with the consumer over the price point? Well, the secret is not to over-sell but to justify the cost by showing the value of the products. The longevity of the product is a big factor in the brands’ success. The products will last for the lifetime of the kitchen. Not many other brands can say that. Gavin recommends not talking about the products as products at all, but rather, as an investment. (When he said this, everyone on the panel nodded their heads simultaneously.) These “products” are just that, an investment that will raise the value of the homeowners home. Not to mention, the performance, the way the units protect your food, etc. They are easy to use, they are energy efficient, etc. Find out what your client’s pain points are and solve them with Riggs' body of products! 

We can continue to support Riggs by promoting brand awareness, specifying their products, and using their resources. They love meeting new members and emerging professionals. They want to be introduced to specifiers early in their careers. There are also cooking classes in the Sacramento Area to introduce clients to Wolf products. If you can’t make it to a class, you can make an appointment with a chef to walk you through any of the products, and how to use them to their full potential. All of the events are listed on the riggsdistributing.com website. Also, as NKBA members, we need to enter into the kitchen design contest! Enter now at riggsdistributing.com! There are great prizes for winners! The earlier you enter, the longer the judges have to review your project. Gavin even offered an insider tip, make sure you photograph the kitchen with the refrigerator door slightly open! It’s a game changer! 

To sum it up, Riggs products really are icons in the industry. They are built to last 20 years or more and the support is incredible. Riggs is also known for their customer service. They are an American brand and are available. The showroom is available for events, tours, and classes. They have been family owned for more than 40 years. You can feel good about doing business with a company that has the Riggs Core Values. They also give back to the community.  They believe in the relationship they have built with NKBA, and they recommend joining to any new businesses. They have found great value in partnering with NKBA, not just on a professional capacity, but also personally. We can become friends through building these relationships. It’s important to note that you get out of it (the relationship with NKBA) what you put into it. It grows your business and builds your network.

There are many programs for trade members. One is personal use, where you get a back end rebate. Another is a specifier program where you register online, fill out W9 for tax purposes, spec the product, send Riggs the info, and you get a payment! Lastly there is the KDC (Kitchen Design Contest) and the awards that go with that. Also, the more you take advantage of Riggs and their programs, the more they want to highlight your business through social media and print. Send in your photos with their products for a chance to be highlighted.

Written by Kate Davenport

Please reach out to Gavin McClure if you have any questions: gavinm@riggsdistributing.com.