Founded in 1973 by Frank Robinson, the company has about 1,200 employees and currently produces more helicopters annually than all of the other North American manufactures combined. In addition, Robinson has a factory overhaul program for older aircraft and conducts monthly and safety educational courses for helicopter flight instructors and maintenance technicians. The organization has a global network of more than 110 factory-authorized dealers and 290 service centers in 50 countries, including China and Russia.

Robinson is an engineering company that places great emphasis on research and development. In recent years, efforts have concentrated on refining the R22 and the R44 designs to enhance their performance and further reduce the maintenance requirements for both aircraft. Some of the most recent product developments include hydraulic power controls and specialized configurations of the four seat R44. The R44 Clipper has fixed or pop-out utility floats for over water operations; the R44 Police Helicopter is fully equipped for airborne law enforcement; and the R44 Newscopter is the first aerial platform specifically designed for high-quality live television broadcasting.

Robinson’s modern factory was designed and built for helicopter manufacturing. The facility is equipped with the latest state-of-the-art machinery, including extensive use of CNC (computer numerically controlled) machining centers. Robinson was among the first North American aerospace firms to be awarded ISO 9001 certification for helicopter design, manufacture and service. To maintain the highest quality standards, the company performs most operations, including welding, machining, assembly, painting and flight testing, on site at its Torrance Airport plant. Robinson broke ground on a new building in 2003 to expand its manufacturing space and employment by approximately eighty percent.