Since 1954, Robinson Supply Co. has provided plumbing and HVAC products to contractors throughout New England. In 2019, the Robinson team marked 65 years as a plumbing and heating distributor. In order to comprehend this adventure, you must learn of the beginning of the voyage. 

In May 1954, Rudy Robinson, working by himself, founded Robinson Plumbing and Heating Supply Co., Inc. He conducted all the sales and distribution solely. He would have certain hours set aside when the shop would be open and other hours when he would be using his station wagon to call on customers or deliver material. Within a year, Robinson acquired such major lines as Universal-Rundle plumbing fixtures and Utica cast-iron boilers. 

In 1967, Rudy’s son, Russell Robinson, joined the organization; he is the distributor’s current president. Leading the charge in all departments, Russell Robinson’s sales techniques were unparalleled to anyone in the field. With a degree in psychology, he has a profound sense of interpreting emotions. Sharing his skills of communicating and listening, with an emphasis on being honest, Russell Robinson has grown and maintained a robust salesforce in New England. 

In 1984, Robinson Supply Co. established its headquarters on 195 Broadway, Fall River, Mass. Throughout the company’s expansion period from 1980 through the 2000s, Russell Robinson brought on four key members, all whom currently reside in their roles today: Jim Barney, sales manager; David Martin, director of sales; William Obin, director of operations; and Stanley Mickelson, director of showrooms. Today, Robinson has grown to seven branches employing more than 100 people. 

Growth Mode

Russell Robinson’s primary focus was looking for new markets and expanding the current product lines. He called on prospected accounts in the neighboring areas of New Bedford, Mass., and Newport, R.I. Robinson expanded the operation to cover Boston’s South and North Shore, Metro West Mass., Cape Cod and Nantucket, as well as Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Today, Robinson Supply Co. remains in Fall River. It also has full-service locations in Plainville, Mass.; Hyannis, Mass.; Woburn, Mass.; Avon, Mass.; Cranston, R.I.; and East Hartford, Conn. Its years of success prove its commitment to serve its customers with exceptional customer service. 

Russell Robinson realized early on that there was a tremendous demand to satisfy the retail trade, so the Bath Splash Showroom was born. Selling premium brands at competitive pricing, the company adopted the trademark slogan “Style at Deep Discounted Pricing.” 

Today, three award-winning showrooms — professionally designed and staffed by a highly trained sales staff — total more than 13,000 square feet. 

Offering a robust product selection of prominent kitchen and bath brands, the Bath Splash Showrooms dominate local markets with the perception and guarantee of premium products. The showroom team is available for homeowners to answer any questions and demonstrate any of the products on display. The product lines are continually growing, so there is something for every style preference.

From Plumbing to HVAC

Since it opened its doors in 1954, Robinson Supply has grown from a plumbing wholesaler to a prominent supplier in HVAC. It has experienced a successful 27 years with Goodman Mfg. The company is a proud recipient of the Harold V. Goodman Award, recognizing Robinson Supply’s continual commitment to excellence as an HVAC distributor for Amana, Daikin and Goodman. 

In addition to Daikin Corp., Robinson Supply has a long-standing relationship with Utica Boilers, First Co., QuietFlex, LG Ductless, Unico, Luk Jan, Lima, TOTO, American Water Heaters, Honeywell Home, and many others. 

Today, Robinson Supply remains the largest Goodman and Amana distributor in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It is the exclusive Amana distributor in those states. With a strong core of eight territory managers, seven branches and more than 35 trucks, the company has grown and maintained its exclusive right for the Amana brand. 

With its expert salesforce and focus on providing customer service, the plumbing, hydronics and HVAC wholesale distributor obtains new customers regularly while maintaining its overall growth year-over-year in its market segments.

From 1954 to 2020, Robinson Supply’s mission statement remains the same: 

“We at the Robinson Supply Co. are committed to excellence. We are a team of energetic and positive people who strive to provide superior service in all aspects of our business. It is through the eyes and minds of our employees that we look to the future. We consider these people and their ideas to be our most valuable asset.

“Their dedication to service is unparalleled. With positive attitude, we continue to seek constant growth and improvement. We strive for, earn and maintain a respect throughout our industry that is second to none.

“We pride ourselves on our decades of service to our customers and our community. Customer satisfaction will forever remain our truest measure of success.”

– By George Maris