History
About Robic Refrigeration, Inc
Robic Refrigeration, Inc was founded on March 15, 1975, by Richard and Bernita Roton with a team of three employees. Originally specializing in HVAC, sheet metal fabrication, and refrigeration sales and service, the company was built on a commitment to quality workmanship and exceptional customer service. Many people ask where the name "Robic" originated. The name combines "Roton" and "Bick," honoring Richard's last name and Bernita's maiden name. The company's original team included Carl Stuart, Service Manager; Kevin Roton, who led the sheet metal department; and Howard Garner, Robic's first service technician. Robic Refrigeration, Inc became incorporated in 1980. In 1991, Carl Stuart and Kevin Roton became part-owners of the company while Bernita continued serving as Chief Financial Officer following Richard's retirement. In 1998, Carl was named President and Kevin Vice President.
After Carl retired in 2000 and Bernita retired in 2001, Kevin assumed leadership as President, Howard became Vice President, and Claudina (Kevin’s wife) joined the executive team as Chief Financial Officer. Together, they successfully guided Robic through the next generation of growth and service. After decades of dedicated leadership, Kevin Roton and Howard Garner retired in December 2024, followed by Claudina in March 2025.
On January 1, 2025, Gary and Nancee Johnson purchased Robic Refrigeration, Inc and assumed ownership of the company. Gary began his HVAC career in 1994 as a service technician in Modesto, where he met Nancee after she joined the company as a dispatcher in 1996. They married in 1998. Nancee briefly worked at Robic in 1998 before stepping away from her career to raise their four children. In 2013, Gary joined the Robic team and worked alongside Kevin and Howard until their retirement. Nancee returned to Robic in 2020, helping lead the succession planning process as the company's longtime leaders prepared for retirement.
Today, Gary and Nancee are proud to continue the legacy that has made Robic Refrigeration, Inc a trusted name throughout the Central Valley. The company remains dedicated to investing in its employees through ongoing education and training to ensure the highest level of workmanship and service.
Our EPA and NATE-certified technicians and installers provide a wide range of services, including residential, commercial, and industrial HVAC service and installation, commercial kitchen hood systems, ice machines, duct cleaning, commercial refrigeration systems, and custom heating and cooling solutions. Robic also operates a full-service sheet metal fabrication shop, producing custom products for both our projects and contractors throughout the HVAC and roofing industries.
Our Mission
At Robic Refrigeration, Inc, our mission is to encourage a supportive and caring environment where our employees can thrive and deliver exceptional quality work to our customers. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, excellence, and professionalism. We believe in creating a workplace where employees feel valued and passionate about their jobs, empowering them to provide outstanding service to our customers.