Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Robinson.
Hi Ben, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My background has always been contracting – even when it was with Legos and toy tractors. I got my degree in civil engineering and pretty quickly took to the field after that, realizing I like the sun more than a fluorescent bulb and I had an affinity for building things. I’d been in residential construction for a little more than 10 years by that point. I worked building and flipping homes/apartments after college until I had the novel idea that coating garage floors would be a better use of my time. I learned a lot of lessons as a result of that choice, and decided to apply coatings in an industrial setting instead. Now we (me & 2 partners) run 10:36 Coating, an industrial coating company.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
If it’s a smooth road, you’re probably doing it wrong – or you’re long overdue to raise your price. Business partners have quit, I’ve lost substantial sums of money in deals, employees have fled the country, I’ve been in situations that were over my head more times and worked more 24+ hr “shifts” than I can count. Frankly, I’m still not sure if I’m doing it right. Being in a state of constant, aggressive climb makes it all feel like your hair is on fire all the time. AI is only quickening the pace.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about 10:36 Coating?
We’re specialty contractors. Our name is a tribute to my grandfather, “Chesty,” and the fact that “time” is literally built into our name serves as a constant reminder of our primary focus: the preservation of our country’s industrial assets. ### What We Do & What Sets Us Apart: We specialize in high-performance coating applications, sales, and distribution. Our focus is protecting critical municipal and industrial infrastructure—from wastewater treatment components to chiller systems and everything in between.
While much of the modern industry has shifted toward a “7-year sales cycle”—where equipment is designed to be replaced rather than repaired—we operate on a different set of values. We are built on the notion, championed by the Greatest Generation, that things are supposed to last. We believe that capital only has worth when it is exchanged for something of greater value and that investment should be made with a long-term view. We want to partner with men and women working in industries that move this country forward to find and provide solutions that bolster their operation.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I have a business coach who was crazy enough to tell me to go for what seemed impossible. Don Canada has pushed me to expand my realm of possibility, drive relentless growth through transparency, and balance everything with sincere reflection. The other contributors are too many to number. Nothing of substance is ever built by 1 man.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://1036coating.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/10-36-coating/
