Dacon and Gentle Giant Moving collaborate on new headquarters

Winchester, MA Gentle Giant Moving and Storage Inc. and Dacon Corp. have begun collaboration on a new corporate headquarters. Currently located in Somerville, the firm will transition corporate offices and operations to a 15,000 s/f redesigned space that includes employee seating for 80, department offices, training facilities and communal areas. The new space will provide an optimized layout for operations and a call center while enabling long term growth.

“We are delighted to help this great company design a space that facilitates business, enables operations and provides a visually pleasing experience that encourages growth,” said Kevin Quinn, CEO of Dacon.    

An Irish born native and Northeastern University rower, Larry O’Toole began Gentle Giant in 1980 with one goal: eliminate the inherent weaknesses within the moving services industry of logistical problems and emotional stress by assembling a trusted team of individuals. Purposing to create a stress-free and competitively priced experience that would keep clients returning, Larry founded Gentle Giant by borrowing a friend’s truck and placing a $17 ad in the Boston Phoenix. Today the company operates from 21 locations in 11 states plus the District of Columbia, offering local and long-distance services in residential/commercial/piano moving, climate-controlled storage, packing, craning and specialty services.

Fundamental to Gentle Giant’s success is a culture-centric philosophy that develops human capital in the art of problem solving, teamwork and communications. The company’s core values are centered on HEART: honesty, enthusiasm, always going above and beyond, respect and being a team player. These values are internalized via uniquely fun sports training exercises and charitable events.  Yet within this team-oriented focus, employees are given the freedom to make independent decisions to serve the client’s best interests “A lot transpires during a move. We entrust our employees with good judgement and flexibility to support the customer’s needs. Our goal is to create customers for life. Our culture develops problem solvers who are smart, enthusiastic and fun. The result is a smooth and memorable experience, as seen in a repeat rate of 80%,” states Tom O’Gorman, COO. Each Giant comes with a 3-fold commitment of accountable service, seasoned training and the ability to independently execute on a project. Gentle Giant guarantees 100% exceptional service with each move, substantiated by a money-back guarantee on each crew member.  

The impact of this cultural philosophy shows. Gentle Giant currently employs 260 full-time Giants and has won awards for Boston Magazine’s Best of Boston (9 times), Improper Bostonian’s award for Best Moving Company (6 times), BBB Local Torch Award of Excellence (4 times), as well as other accolades for top places to work, healthiest employer and corporate citizenship. Additionally, Gentle Giant operates a charitable foundation focused on youth leadership and homelessness. They operate offices in Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, California, Virginia, Washington and Maryland. 

Dacon Corporation is a fully integrated design build firm providing comprehensive facility development services to address clients’ unique project requirements. With a process centered on transparency and collaboration, Dacon’s multidisciplinary team is comprised of professionals specializing in architectural design, engineering and construction management. Dacon provides comprehensive building solutions while eliminating the inherent risks of traditional construction processes.