Wayne County, NC

Somewhere between the grind of a CNC lathe and the hum of a Dotco, a grand idea was born.  An idea that would morph into a two year process – complete with the proverbial ups and downs, occasional hair pulling, and the “why have I done this to myself?”s. An idea that would transform a simple business into a diverse company, with a wider range of services.  An idea that would, among many other things, catapult a small machine shop in Goldsboro – Wayne County to unimaginable heights, all while in the midst of a recession.  What prompted this direction altering decision at the least likely time?  Simple… he “hated saying no.”

In 1985, Roebuck Precision Machine, Inc. (RPM, Inc.) came on the scene in Wayne County, North Carolina.   Jesse Roebuck, Vice President of RPM, Inc. took ownership of a small machine shop known as Modern Machine.  After 22 years as a machine repairman in the United States Navy, Mike Roebuck, President of RPM, Inc., joined his brother, Jesse, and set out to make a name for their company in Wayne County. 

Left: Jesse Roebuck - VP/RPM, Inc. Right: Mike Roebuck - President/RPM, Inc.

In the beginning, RPM, Inc. was known as the little machine shop that could, providing your standard machining services: manufacturing, fabrication, reverse engineering, and design.  But Mike and Jesse had big plans for their small wonder.  When the recession hit in 2008, business began to slow but remained steady; however, Mike was not content with merely scraping by.  He began to toy with the idea of becoming an industrial products supplier; to diversify his products and services.  For many small businesses like RPM, Inc., the task of creating a ‘supplier’ side of the house would seem daunting.  Not for Mike.  

He saw a niche.  Because of his prior military service, Mike always felt a part of the military family.  And why not?  Twenty two years served in the US Navy, in the exact same career field he now owned a business in – he had the connections, access, and know-how to get his foot in the door of military machine shops, except for one thing. 

“I would have a great conversation with someone.  I’d talk about what services we provided, what materials and tools we could sell them, and even had a nice, glossy catalog as a leave behind… but the one question that killed me every time was “So, do you have a GSA contract?”  I hated saying no.”
                                                   
                                                    -Mike Roebuck, President RPM, Inc.

Who knew two little letters would completely change the course of a small machine shop, and transform it into the “#1 GSA Supplier in Eastern North Carolina?”  Mike exchanged those two, little letters for three very important ones: G – S – A.  Roebuck Precision Machine, Inc. has recently been awarded their U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule Contract, number GS-21F-0074W, in two categories: Tools Powered and Tools Non-powered.  RPM, Inc. is now one of four GSA approved companies in the state for tools non-powered, and one of only two GSA approved companies for tools powered.  A two year process that tested the limits of human patience, but more rewarding that Mike or Jesse could ever have imagined. 

RPM, Inc. currently has eight employees with plans to add to that number. 

“I want to be a good steward of commerce in Wayne County.  I want to grow my business and put Wayne County citizens to work, and ultimately make Wayne County a better place to live.”
                                                    
                                                         -Mike Roebuck, President RPM, Inc.

Now armed with their GSA contract, RPM, Inc. is definitely on the right track.  And with a clear purpose in mind, the possibilities are limitless.