Ross Robinson uses the analogy of a four-legged stool to explain his philosophy of life. His first priority – the first leg of the stool – is his family – followed by friends, a satisfying workplace which pays him enough to provide for his family and, finally, philanthropy.
Ross Robinson uses the analogy of a four-legged stool to explain his philosophy of life. His first priority – the first leg of the stool – is his family – followed by friends, a satisfying workplace which pays him enough to provide for his family and, finally, philanthropy.
I first met Ross and his late brother, Bruce, in the early 1980s. At the time, I was writing for several local business magazines and was assigned to do a number of articles on the family business – B.A. Robinson Co. Ltd. (recently rebranded as Robinson Supply). I was impressed both by their business acumen and their commitment to community.
This community commitment was inspired by their father, Burt A. Robinson, who founded the company is 1936. Burt Robinson was already the third generation in his family to become a supplier of lighting products. Burt’s father, William, had come to Winnipeg in 1900 and became the first to supply pre-wired lighting fixtures in Western Canada.
Burt’s sons, Ross and Bruce, joined the family business in the early 1970s and, by 1973, had taken charge of the business. Under their leadership, the company grew. By then they were also supplying electrical, plumbing, and heating distribution products to installation contractors. Branches were opened in Brandon and Thompson, Kenora, and Vancouver. In the late 1970's, Robinson Lighting, a free-standing lighting showroom, opened. With the addition of Robinson Waterworks (now Robinson Bath Centre), the company expanded to become Western Canada's largest showroom-based distributor of lighting and luxury plumbing products.
In 1999, Ross and Bruce parted ways. “Bruce was always most interested in the lighting side of our business,” says Ross. “He maintained control of our lighting stores in Winnipeg, Kelowna and Burnaby and I carried on with our other divisions.”
Under Ross’ management, the company further expanded, adding new locations in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia. Today, Robinson Supply operates 32 branches and employs nearly 600 staff across Canada. The company remains a leader in the lighting and plumbing business in Canada.
Today, Ross’ sons, Shea and Matthew oversee the company’s day-to-day operations while their father focuses on philanthropy. He is particularly interested in where philanthropy intersects with aviation. Ross notes that his passion for flying also reflects his father’s interest in taking to the air.
“Dad trained as a pilot in the late 1930s,” Ross recounts. “When war broke out though, he was considered at 29 too old to fly for the RCAF.”
Ross earned his pilot’s license in 1975 and has a hangar at St. Andrews Airport. “I am one of the oldest members of the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) in Manitoba,” he points out.
Over the years, he says, he has owned several different planes for both business and pleasure. One of his proudest and most notable purchases was a 1952 Harvard training plane finished in grey RAF camouflage colours.
“I happened to be in a town called Oliver in B.C. when I met this 86-year-old former pilot who was selling the plane,” Ross recalls. “It was one of the oldest Harvards in Canada. I flew that plane in air shows in Saskatoon, Portage la Prairie, Kenora and Gatineau, Quebec.
“Five years later,” he continues, “I was in Edmonton on business when I came across another older gentleman with vintage aircraft to sell. He had 18 1944 Douglas B26 Invader water bombers which were being retired. I have flown the B26 with all-volunteer crews at different air shows as well.”
With his passion for flying, it was only natural that when his good friend Hartley Richardson asked Ross in 2012 to take the lead in the Royal Canadian Aviation Museum’s ambitious capital campaign to raise money for a brand-new facility for the now 45-year-old institution, it was a perfect fit.
“We had Prince Edward, our royal patron, fly in for the campaign kick-off in 2014,” Ross notes. It was a great event.”
“We set a goal of $35 million,” reports Terry Slobodian, the museum’s executive director. “Thanks to Ross’ leadership, we were able to raise $48 million by the time we closed the campaign last January. No one else would have been better suited to lead this campaign.”
Ross also supports the Manitoba Air Cadets program, and, for five years, he served as an honorary colonel at 17 Wing, the RAF’s base in Winnipeg.
“I got to renew acquaintances with King Charles and meet Camilla on their last visit here,” Ross recalls. “I first met Charles when we were both 18 at a luncheon organized by (the late) Maitland Steinkopf.”
Ross has been involved in another major fundraising campaign for St. John’s-Ravenscourt. He is also a long time and generous supporter of the United Way.
His current project is an effort to help Agape Table raise $8.2 million to erect a new building on Furby Street. Agape Table provides inexpensive meals as well as free groceries and clothing to the many disadvantaged in our community.
“We hope to begin construction soon,” he reports.
“I give everywhere I can,” he concludes. “There are so many people in need. I believe that there is no greater joy than to give to others after you have enough to support your own family.’
（Original title: Multi generational company, Robinson Supply, almost as old as Winnipeg）
