In business since 1939, Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Robinson Rubber Products Company, Inc. is home to more than 2,000 premium proprietary formulas for a variety of components exported across North America and as far afield as Asia. As the developer of custom rubber formulations and leading adhesion techniques, the company is armed with a laboratory and on-site chemists, owning its full supply chain.
Robinson Rubber’s most popular products include elastomers for peristaltic pump systems and a metal-free, conductive rubber material used for specialty electric applications in multiple industries globally. In addition, the company has developed ways of creating improved bonds between materials like elastomers and metals, making it a familiar go-to for customers struggling with failing components they purchased elsewhere. Indeed, the team is well-versed in creating lasting partnerships with clients, becoming a trusted guardian of precious trade secrets that set them apart from their competitors.
While a rubber part may appear to be just that, the reality is that one critical component in a machine worth $1 million or more can cost clients hundreds of thousands if it malfunctions. Without these critical components, crucial systems—from electrical grids to fiber optics to mobile phones and more—cannot operate. By reaching out to the Robinson Rubber team early in the product development process, customers stand to both save money and gain this expert team’s full support in establishing long-lasting solutions.
Naturally, this leads to superior results. “The earlier a customer can partner with us, the better we can do in providing a long-term solution that’s not going to have problems in the field,” says Pete Wolf, President and Chief Executive Officer. He joined the firm nearly 10 years ago after gaining nearly a decade and a half of experience in the world of liquid silicone rubber and plastics.
The team also prides itself on significantly reducing production costs—like it does with its conductive elastomers, for instance: “I don’t believe the engineering world is aware of rubber being a conductor,” says Wolf. “Our formulation is electrically conductive for [electromagnetic interference] shielding, grounding applications, living electrical hinges, connectors, and more. Our product eliminates the need for multiple components, saving cost, space, and overall weight.”
Even more surprising than the product’s existence is the fact that the company developed it half a century ago. “Electrically conductive elastomers are kind of like the industry’s best-kept secret. Not only can we make them electrically conductive, but we can make them thermally conductive,” Wolf says.
The company even supplies metal-detectable elastomers for use in food applications, and it is this high level of specialization that makes it worthwhile for customers to bring their projects to the Robinson Rubber team as early as possible. From aerospace and electrical grid applications to chip fabrication and myriad other fields, the company applies its vast knowledge to develop practical solutions.
Also offering a range of specialized tests, Robinson Rubber has carved a niche for itself that sets it apart from others in the industry. “We offer fluid submersion, compression set testing, and modulus testing,” says Wolf. “We also have in-house equipment that can do full rubber process analyses across the full spectrum of the tier cycle. We’re able to derive and validate solutions… more quickly than other suppliers.”
Armed with the knowledge that has stood the test of time, the company is proud to be an undisputed leader in its field. It has also protected local customers’ supply chains throughout recent upheavals since its extensive in-house testing takes place without the support of foreign outfits. Backed by a team of engineers and other experts in the field, the company has turned itself into a one-stop solutions provider for all things rubber and rubber molding. “As we see the demand for our products grow, we are committed to investing in the equipment in-house,” Wolf continues.
With elastomers being a notoriously tricky field, the company’s team is expert at providing solutions to problems that often appear insurmountable at first. The company also offers molding, extrusion, assembly, packaging, and finishing, as well as cryogenic deflashing that renders molded components that are smoothly finished by applying liquid nitrogen to achieve icy temperatures that ease the deburring process. And customers can trust Robinson Rubber to deliver goods that are ready to be retailed via a process known as ‘dock to stock,’ handling the entire process—from product development to shipping—on behalf of its clients, while taking care to keep costs as low as possible.
“We provide a solution that saves money and saves the total supply chain cost,” says Wolf. “It’s not just the part cost; it’s the cost of managing a supplier, the cost of quality—all that wrapped into one.” Robinson Rubber achieves much of its cost savings by employing sophisticated waste management technology, particularly on expensive material runs.
In addition, the team aims to be open and available to all customers and any challenges they may bring that need solving. To fully achieve the level of communication and hands-on involvement for which the company has become known, Robinson Rubber meets with its top customers once a week to bring transparency and ensure that everyone is aligned on every project. The customers “are our number one focus at all times. We’re accessible, and we provide great communication.”
Wolf also invests in his people. Providing his team with annual profit sharing and robust benefits means that people truly enjoy their jobs and remain loyal to the company. “You can’t make parts without having a team, and so I continually invest in the team in training, safety, and technology,” Wolf says, ensuring that everyone remains in stride with evolution in the industry. As a result, many staff members remain with the company for 10 years or more; some have been with the team for over 30 years, passing on knowledge to newer staff members along the way.
The company also affords employees the flexibility to deal with family obligations, and celebrates big achievements with cookouts and other team events. In addition to taking care of its people, there are also a series of community projects and charities that benefit from its success and generosity.
Aiming to double in size over the next five years, Robinson Rubber is expanding its production facility. The company is not only exploring being a tier 1 supplier of raw rubber materials, but it is also investing deeply in research and development of new technologies and material combinations, ensuring that it remains the go-to for customers’ elastomer needs.
As Wolf says, “If you don’t want to have to worry about a $2 or $10 or $20 rubber part in a $1,000,000 operation, come to Robinson Rubber.”
