A few years ago, Robert Rodriguez, a Hollister native and owner
of San Benito Heating and Sheet Metal, set a career goal of making
a nationally prestigious list of Hispanic-owned businesses.
A few years ago, Robert Rodriguez, a Hollister native and owner of San Benito Heating and Sheet Metal, set a career goal of making a nationally prestigious list of Hispanic-owned businesses.
Two weeks ago, he realized his goal. In the June edition of Hispanic Business, the local company that was founded in 1985 made the magazine’s Top 500 Hispanic Businesses in the nation. In 2002, San Benito Heating and Sheet Metal earned $6 million and had 62 employees.
“I’m kind of excited,” said Rodriguez, who added he plans on staying in the area for a long time.
Hispanic Business compiles the list every year, and it is based primarily on companies’ incomes. The 2002 list was the first time a business from San Benito County made the list.
The Colorado-based Burt Automotive Network earned the list’s top spot by earning $1.47 billion. Other companies in the top 10 included Brightstar Corp., MasTec Inc. and Goya Foods.
Rodriguez is also on the Board of Directors of the county’s Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and one of its sponsors. Chamber President Robert Ornelas extended congratulations to Rodriguez and his family and called Rodriguez a role model.
“It’s a challenge to all of us in the business sector to have goals we want to achieve,” Ornelas said.
Ornelas said he hopes other businesses in the county can also make the list in future years.
Economic Development Director Al Martinez said he had noticed San Benito Heating and Sheet Metal continually growing in recent years.
“I’ve been around him. I’ve watched him,” Martinez said. “He’s an entrepreneur. He’s out wheeling and dealing.”
San Benito Heating and Sheet Metal is located at 731 San Felipe Road. Its phone number is 637-1112.
