Jay Stoehr remains CEO of family-owned flooring company,
adds proven leader as part of succession plan.
CINCINNATI, OH November 3, 2016 — Robbins, Inc., an international leader in sports flooring systems, has hired Dave Fulton as President to oversee all manufacturing, sales and service functions.
James (Jay) Stoehr III, the fourth generation of his family to lead Robbins, had been serving as President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board. He will retain his other leadership roles, and Fulton will report to him.
Fulton had served as Manufacturing Leader for Cincinnati-based Shepherd Color Company, a multi-generation family-owned color pigment business, since 2014. He previously was President of Dayton, Ohio-based Hohman Plating & Manufacturing from 2008 to 2014.
Fulton received two degrees from the University of Cincinnati: a Bachelor’s of Science in chemical engineering and an MBA in finance. He is a resident of Lawrenceburg, Ind.
“Dave is a transformational business leader with a wealth of experience growing and leading family-owned manufacturing businesses,” Stoehr said. “He understands the manufacturing process as well as its role in driving business growth. I’m counting on him to bring his formidable skills to bear to focus on strategic planning, operational excellence, organizational development and financial results.”
Robbins is based in Cincinnati’s East End neighborhood with sales offices across the U.S. and manufacturing plants in Michigan and Wisconsin. The privately held company’s main business unit is Robbins Sports Surfaces, the premier supplier of high-performance maple and synthetic sports flooring systems to professional and college athletic programs as well as fitness, religious and performing arts.
Athletes in more than 65 nations on six continents compete and practice on the company’s sports surfaces. More NBA teams use Robbins flooring than all other competitors combined, with 90% of teams owning the company’s competition and/or training facility floors — including the NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers, who have played home games on a Robbins floor since 1974.
Stoehr credits a 20-year relationship with the Goering Center for Family & Private Business, based at the University of Cincinnati, with helping him plan for succession in a family business and prioritize business success ahead of personal interests or ambitions. Working with Robbins’ Board of Advisors, Stoehr developed a succession plan that led to the decision to hire a President to assume day-to-day operational responsibility.
“We’ve made this exciting change because Robbins is built on strong values that focus on doing the right thing for employees, customers and vendors while strengthening the company legacy,” Stoehr said. “I’m confident that Dave’s addition to our leadership team will do just that.”
Fulton began work as Robbins President on October 31.
About Robbins, Inc.
Robbins, Inc. is a privately held family-owned flooring company based in Cincinnati’s East End neighborhood with sales offices across the U.S. and manufacturing plants in Ishpeming and Kenton, Mich. and White Lake, Wisc. CEO Jay Stoehr is the fourth generation of his family to lead the company, which traces its roots to 1894.
The NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers play on a Robbins Sports Surfaces “All Star” brand floor at their home court, Quicken Loans Arena, and practice on more than 18,000 sq. ft. of the company’s “Bio-Channel Classic” flooring, one of the top floor choices among NBA franchises. The Cavs have played home games on Robbins floors since 1974.
More NBA teams compete and train on Robbins flooring than all other competitors combined, with 90% of NBA teams owning the company’s competition and/or training facility floors. Past NCAA men’s basketball champions Connecticut, Duke, Kentucky, Indiana and North Carolina play their home games on a Robbins floor.
Robbins Inc. has registered 25 patents over the years, with additional patents pending, and is the only U.S. flooring manufacturer with a full-time research and product development staff. Robbins’ unique capability and understanding of the biomechanical interaction between the athlete or performer and floor have recently led to new designs that reduce vibration and increase uniformity, both of which improve performance, comfort, and safety.
In addition to Robbins Sports Surfaces, Robbins, Inc. is also the owner of Stoehr Flooring, a high-end residential flooring business, and majority owner of Egis Floorlife, an innovative after-market service business. Robbins also has a theater and dance floor division known as Robbins Performing Arts, which is dedicated to the development of performing arts floor systems that enhance the safety and comfort of performers.
For more information about each of Robbins divisions, please visit http://www.robbinsfloor.com/, http://robbinsdancefloors.com/, http://www.stoehrflooring.com/, and http://egisfloorlife.com/.
