The draws at Rivian’s 2023 Family and Friends Day’s included rock climbing, a hayrack ride and a petting zoo, along with numerous other activities from local businesses.
And, of course, there were the EVs.
“Daddy made this truck,” one onlooker told her children at Sunday's second annual event.
With about 7,800 employees locally, the company takes its celebrations seriously. Whether it’s scheduling events to help cement a family atmosphere to showcasing local businesses such as Rader Farms, Carl’s Ice Cream and Upper Limits in its activities, it’s all aimed at creating a connection.
“We work a bunch of different shifts and not all people get to come together like this,” said Tim Fallon, vice president of manufacturing operations. “So being able to come together really as truly a Rivian family really helps to build that culture and build that excitement and really that family atmosphere that we want.”
It also helps position Rivian as an attractive opportunity for local workers.
Speaking to WGLT during the celebration, Fallon acknowledged employers face a challenge in competing for the Twin City workforce. He said Rivian is addressing it through an ongoing review of its salary and benefits package that most recently led to a salary increase in June.
But employers need to focus on future workers, too.
“How do we get the high schools, the grade schools, the community colleges, ISU, everybody to understand what we all do, so that we can continue to build the base and the pool so that we can continue to all be successful,” said Fallon, adding Rivian attracts employees from Peoria, Decatur and Dwight, as well.
Employees at the event
Outside, just under 7,000 employees, family members and their friends signed up for Sunday’s celebration, with attendance spaced throughout the day.
Adding to the fun were the vehicles themselves, on display for hands-on inspection. Models included the electric automaker’s pickup truck and SUV, as well as an Amazon van and new mobile service van.
Zach Dietmeier, Rivian’s senior manager of public affairs, said the service vans rolled out in May to augment the 40-plus brick-and-mortar service centers that handle Rivian repairs.
Attendees pored over the vehicles, opening doors and front-loading trunks, and cramming in together.
Josiah Preciado, a staff technical writer, enjoyed the spectacle.
“Seeing the kids' first reactions, having the guy that’s 6-foot-3 say, ‘Yeah, there’s a lot of space in this R1S front seat,’ I’m around these vehicles all the time, so it’s great seeing people’s first reactions.”
Preciado joined Rivian about a year and a half ago, relocating from Southern California. “This is the company,” he said. “They were like, ‘Rivian,’ and I came running.”
Baylor Budnar, an employee who started in May, was impressed as well.
“It’s pretty crazy. I wasn’t expecting for there to be so many people. But it’s awesome to see everyone come together and get to see what their mom or dad does at work every day,” he said.
Dietmeier, who joined Rivian about four years ago from the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council, echoed Preciado.
“Rivian is such a unique opportunity for central Illinois. It’s part tech startup, part auto manufacturer. It really provides a different feel for what workforce is in the community, and it’s an exciting, once in a lifetime opportunity,” he said.
He noted that at its peak, former plant owner Mitsubishi employed about 3,300 people.
As for the event, the workforce, and what Rivian calls its “family,” it showcases how business and community can work together.
“I think it just showcases how much of an impact that Rivian has had on Bloomington-Normal, and how much of an impact Bloomington-Normal has had on Rivian,” Dietmeier said.
