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ISO Support Bolster Quality Management Systems

About

RAE Corporation specializes in the design and production of engineered heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems. The company, founded in 1971, is still family owned and operated with headquarters in the rural community of Pryor, Oklahoma. With 400 employees, the company is known for its strong workplace culture, emphasizing teamwork and career growth.

The Challenge

With RAE Corporation’s business growing each year, leaders knew production systems were at risk of becoming misaligned. New employees and new operations were a constant source of pressure on an otherwise cohesive flow. When John Jackson was named director of a new department, Management Systems, he was tasked with creating strategies to enhance operational performance. Jackson turned to Brad Chambers, a manufacturing extension agent working for the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance, part of the MEP National Network™, for advice. Chambers has worked with RAE on numerous projects and is considered a trusted advisor.

The expertise and support from the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance were instrumental in helping us implement a cohesive quality management system. Our processes are more efficient, and our team is more confident in delivering excellence.

— John Jackson, Director of Management Systems

MEP's Role

Chambers met with Jackson to discuss goals and set priorities. Most important was the RAE’s quality management system, which company leaders were committed to making as superior and efficient as possible. Chambers brought in Wade Wilson, a quality systems expert at the Manufacturing Alliance. Wilson offers tailored guidance and the resources to help firms understand and implement necessary processes to achieve holistic quality control.

Wilson developed a plan to provide ISO training, which he knew would serve as a foundation for more robust quality systems while providing mechanisms for continuous improvement. Several “internal auditor” courses were provided by Wilson to Jackson and a few other employees. It equipped them with the skills to assess and ensure compliance with certain standards. That, in turn, will enhance RAE’s quality systems, but can be directed toward environmental and safety processes in the future. The auditors are now identifing areas for improvement, risk reduction, and efficiencies, while maintaining the cohesive quality strategies throughout the entire organization.

Additionally, Chambers is working with RAE on several continuous improvement projects that are helping the company eliminate waste from various operational workflows. The work will help RAE stay competitive and adapt to market changes, while encouraging innovation, employee engagement, and long-term growth.

Created January 22, 2025