Robinson Industries, Inc. Highlights the success of family-owned businesses, innovative manufacturing, and female leadership in plastics. Founded in 1947, the company has its roots in Coleman, Michigan. It began small, but it grew. Now, it leads in reusable plastic pallets, industrial containers, and custom thermoformed products. This journey stays true to its core values: family, community, and quality craftsmanship.
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Company History and Family Leadership
Robinson Industries started in 1947. Fred and Ardis Robinson founded it with their three kids: Ron, Inez, and Bin. From its inception, the business prioritized family values, community involvement, and charitable giving. In 2017, the company celebrated its 70th anniversary. This marked seven decades of growth and adaptation to market changes.
The Robinson family has owned the company since it began. There is no outside ownership. After Fred Robinson died in 1975 at age 61, his son Ron took over as president and CEO. He grew the business by buying new machines and attracting more customers. Ron was involved in many parts of the business. He worked on quoting, scheduling, purchasing, sales, and human resources. He passed away in 1995. Inez Kaleto, the founders’ daughter, is the chairman and CEO. Her brother, Bin Robinson, is the president and COO.
Family involvement extends beyond the top leadership positions. Treva Robinson, Ron’s spouse, and Jerry Kaleto, Inez’s husband, are both active in daily operations. This shows their strong family commitment to the business. This multi-generational approach has helped the company face tough economic times. During the recession, they made smart capital improvements. This boosted both quality and productivity.
Female Leadership Legacy
A distinctive aspect of Robinson Industries is its long history of female leadership. Co-founder Ardis Robinson set a lasting example. Today, the company is mainly owned and run by women.
WBENC certifies this commitment to women in leadership. This means the business is 51 percent owned, controlled, operated, and managed by women. Robinson Industries got WBENC certification on August 8, 2006. Their certification is valid until August 8, 2025.
Taylor Newman, a senior at Robinson Industries, said, “A women-owned manufacturing business in a town of just over 1,000 people is unique.”” This motivates me to chase my dreams as a future female leader from a small town.
Manufacturing Facilities and Capabilities
Robinson Industries operates specialized manufacturing facilities in Coleman, Michigan. They have two plants about five miles apart. Each plant focuses on different plastics processes. The main thermoforming plant is 110,000 square feet. The structural foam facility is 42,000 square feet. Together, they provide 152,000 square feet of manufacturing space.
Advanced Manufacturing Processes
Robinson Industries stands out from many competitors. They have strong skills in both thermoforming and structural foam manufacturing. Their versatility helps them suggest the best solution for each customer’s needs. This way, they avoid a one-size-fits-all approach.
Their thermoforming capabilities include:
- 20 thermoforming machines
- Ability to produce single- or twin-sheet components
- Size capacity ranging from 1 square inch up to 10-by-28 square feet
Their structural foam injection molding process can:
- Handle up to 190 pounds of structural foam per cycle
- Produce parts up to 5-by-12 feet in size
This dual-process capability is a big competitive edge. The company explains, “We offer both of those processes, which is unusual and an advantage.” We can perfectly meet our customers’ needs because we have both of these processes to offer”.
Product Evolution and Innovation
Robinson Industries has met market needs for over seventy years. They’ve developed new solutions all along.
Historical Product Development
The company started in the 1950s by thermoforming refrigerator door slabs. Then, it expanded to making canoes, coolers, and ice buckets. In the 1960s, automotive manufacturers asked for reusable plastic pallets. They began making thermoformed pallets, which became essential to their business. As customer demands evolved, making wooden pallets increasingly obsolete, plastic pallets gained popularity.
In the early 1970s, Robinson Industries added a structural foam division. This move improved its thermoforming operations. It also resulted in products that set industry standards. Their 1974 incorporation as Robinson Fans, Inc. marked a smart expansion. It showed their commitment to the wider industrial market.
Current Product Portfolio
Today, Robinson Industries makes products from high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, and structural foam. Some examples include:
- Reusable plastic pallets
- Industrial storage containers
- Plastic shipping containers
- Custom industrial packaging products
- Storm drains and ice-fishing sleds
The company serves many industries. These include automotive, agriculture, battery, defense, marine, retail, and textile sectors. They use their skills in design, prototyping, tooling, and fabrication. This helps them make custom solutions that fit each client’s needs.
Quality Management and Certifications
Robinson Industries maintains rigorous quality standards through multiple certifications:
ISO 9001:2015 Certification
The company has ISO 9001:2015 certification. This includes designing molding tools. It also makes thermoformed and structural foam plastic pallets, trays, and special items. Their certification was issued on September 18, 2021. It is valid until September 17, 2024. This certification demonstrates their commitment to consistent quality management systems and continuous improvement.
Women’s Business Enterprise Certification
Robinson Industries is a certified woman-owned business. This certification comes from the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). This certification offers real benefits for businesses. The company says, “WBENC Certification helps women-owned businesses get chances with WBENC Corporate Members and government agencies.””
The WBENC certification process is tough. It needs “formal documentation and a site visit” to prove that women own, control, operate, and manage at least 51% of the business.
Corporate Values and Community Commitment
Local Community Support
The company has shown strong support for local initiatives. It focuses on education and sports programs in Beaverton, Michigan. One testimonial says, “Robinson Industries changed my life with their donations to my softball programs.” They consistently support sports at Beaverton High School. They donate for new hitting facilities, cover equipment costs, and provide new uniforms.
This community-focused approach extends to workforce development through partnerships with local educational institutions. The company provides co-op opportunities for high school students. Taylor Newman is a senior at Beaverton High School. She worked as a receptionist at Robinson Industries. She gained this experience through her school’s work-based learning program.
Business Resilience
Robinson Industries has demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout its history. In March 2022, the company faced a big challenge. A fire broke out at their facility. It damaged the manufacturing area and front offices. The fire also took down their server and phone systems. This incident showed how vital disaster recovery planning is. Their cloud-based backups helped keep the business running during the crisis.
Their partnership with Rehmann, an accounting and advisory firm, was crucial for this recovery. The Robinson family and Rehmann have a long history together. It goes back to when Jack Rehmann “did the books for my grandmother’s company,” says Ardis Robinson.
Company Scale and Economic Impact
Robinson Industries is a major employer in a small community. It has a big economic impact.
- Founded: 1947
- Employees: 78 according to recent data
- NAICS code: 3261 (Plastics Product Manufacturing)
- Headquarters: Coleman, Michigan
The company stays dedicated to local manufacturing. This is despite trends in the industry that favor offshoring. They keep their operations in Coleman, Michigan. This choice supports stable jobs in a rural community.
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