Chhaya leads by example. She continues research emerging trends, mentor and drive the entire team. Chhaya remembers names and loves speaking with everyone. Behind the scenes, Chhaya sets strategic objectives that facilitate growth.
About Us
We’re celebrating our 60th year! To meet the diverse needs of libraries and learning spaces, we continue to review all elements of our business, in particular our products and customer service. We’ve also renewed our focused on quality, sustainability and Australian made products.
behind the scenes
In our 60th year, we’re as passionate about library & learning spaces as we were on day one
We’re a small team, committed to you. We’re designers, consultants, speakers, analysts, book lovers, travellers, partners, volunteers, parents and so much more.
WE'RE CERTIFIED.... in a good way
Some people call them standards.
We prefer to call them distinctions.
Here’s a few we're proud of...
GECA – Good Environmental Choice Australia put us through the ringer to obtain this distinction – and we came out with flying colours! All Raeco shelving is GECA certified.
ISO 9001 – Quality Management Systems: Used by stellar organisations around the world to assert our drive to provide quality, consistent products and services.
ISO 14001 – Quality Environment Systems: What good is it providing the best products and services if they’re destructive to our planet? We’ve established many environmentally friendly policies for delivery, packaging and our products themselves. Find out more here
REDUCING OUR FOOTPRINT
We’re committed to socially responsible, environmentally friendly results.
Everyday, we strive to be a progressive and environmentally sustainable company, from sourcing environmentally responsible products to managing our own environmental impacts.
Timber materials are sourced from FSC (Forest Stewardship Council). FSC certified forests are healthy and benefit local communities as well as providing jobs for workers.
WE'RE GOOD NEIGHBOURS
Making a difference.
Raeco invests heavily into a number of local and global library and learning associations. We sponsor conferences, industry functions plus localised cluster groups and networking events.
We also help our neighbours, near and far with philanthropic projects including
- Cambodia: We’ve supplied enough shelving, seating and tables to set up a complete library for local school libraries. Image left: Trevor McCann entertains the locals before the furniture arrives.
- Creative Technology Hub: It’s good to invest back in our home country. We provided design services and furniture for the innovative Creative Technology Hub in in Hobsons Bay (Vic).
We care about our industry
Raeco supports the UN’s 2030 Agenda “We envision…a world with universal literacy.” (Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development).
We support ALIA and IFLA’s contribution to the SDGs through Raeco’s operations, policies, practices and special projects targeting Goals 3,4,5,9,10,11,12 and 17.
United Nations 17 Sustainable Goals
These goals recognise that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.
TEAM PLAYERS
Management Team
Trevor McCann
Director of Sales
Trevor loves to network and talk about emerging library trends. He’s knowledgeable, motivating and entertaining! In-house, Trevor continues to shape our customer engagement ethos and drive the ongoing success of Raeco.
Atesh Singh
Commercial Manager
Very little gets past Atesh. He knows the intricacies of project processes and the importance of following process. With experience right across Raeco, Atesh is at the forefront of our ongoing process innovations and improvements.
Dean Parker
Marketing Manager
A renewed and refreshing approach to customer centricity are Dean’s key marketing aims. Dean’s goal is that every interaction you have with any Raeco department should be rewarding, focused on you and exceed your expectations!
Paula Kelly Paull
Growth & Leadership
Transitioning as a Library Leader to developing culture, enhanced performance and innovations at Raeco, Paula brings a fresh approach. This focus harnesses her extensive expertise about what makes library, learning spaces and people tick!
Area Managers
Lisa Sharp
Area Manager – VIC
Lisa has been with Raeco for over 20 years. We think she’s a bit of an industry icon. Her no nonsense , knowledgeable approach gives you confidence plus clarity during your library refurbishment or build.
Joanne Smith
Area Manager – VIc
Joanne is a Librarian with experience in public libraries around Melbourne and the UK. She has managed countless library operations projects, loves co-creating functional and engaging spaces and will work with you to ensure your project is wow-worthy!
Philip Towers
Area Manager – South Sydney, South NSW & ACT
Phillip’s experience within the Australian commercial furniture and library sectors means your new project or re-build is in safe hands. Philip works with your team from initial consult – through to the exciting day you open up your new space.
Tracy Sanan
Area Manager – QLD
Tracy brings her wealth of interior design experience to you. Her understanding of floorplan layout and fabric selection will help you to create engaging library and learning spaces.
Margarite Hopley
Internal Area Manager – VIC/TAS/SA/WA
Margarite is our own “energizer bunny”. She never stops! We often see her buzzing around the office, asking questions to obtain solutions for her beloved customers. We love her and so do our customers.
Cherine Rautenbach
Internal Area Manager – NSW/ACT
Cool, calm and collected. Cherine has extensive experience in customer service across numerous industries. Her patience and commitment to service continues to delight customers and the Raeco team.
Services Team
Laura Cozzi
Customer Service Team Leader
Laura’s ethos: “Books & travel expand the mind!” She combines these loves with a commitment to industry best customer service. Laura’s dedication flows through our team so every wonderful Raeco customer experiences prompt, friendly and solutions based service!
Ryan Smith
Operations Manager
To ensure our dispatch services and warehouse operations are the best that they can be, Ryan continues to introduce innovative new processes and updated software. He’s the right hand man for our delivery services and ongoing supplier relationships.
Alex Ilyefalvy
Head of Project Services
Anyone who works with Alex appreciates his no nonsense approach to get the job done correctly, first time, without delay. In Alex’s own words: “My core focus and priority is customer service and building long term relationships with customers”.
Peter Higgins
Product Development/Designer
Peter brings more than product innovation, floor plan creation and problem solving to the Raeco table. He knows Raeco products backwards and inside out to work with every department and deliver cutting edge products.
Raeco History
1961
23 year old Ray Elliot, an employee of the S & M (Shire & Municipal) Supply Co Pty Ltd with a passion for working with libraries and librarians, registers a Library Supply Service Company during his lunch hour with his business partner Roger Boswarva.
1967
Company name is changed to Raeco.
R.A.E being Ray Elliot’s initials.
R.A.E being Ray Elliot’s initials.
1985
Raeco is purchased by Street Thompson Holdings Limited and occupies a warehouse 24,000 sq ft and office 6,000 sq feet at 100 Cochranes Road, Moorabbin, Victoria.
1985
Raeco steel shelving is launched and quickly becomes a favourite in libraries across Australia.
1988-1989
Raeco is acquired by Westmex and is now a “one stop” shop for libraries with over 4,000 products ranging from general stationery supplies to more specialist library supplies.
1992
Raeco moves to our current location at 75 Rushdale Street Knoxfield, Victoria.
Raeco’s product range consists of almost every stationery need in a library environment including book pockets, date due slips, stamps, book covering, computer accessories, library shelving, furniture, storage and more!
2000
Raeco steel shelving and furniture is exported to South East Asia for the first time!
2010
Timeline Story
Expressions shelving is launched! Timber laminate housing combines with the strength of metal or timber shelves.
2012
With around 2,000 catalogued lines Raeco, celebrates its 50th birthday.
2015
2015
In October, Raeco is successfully purchased by a Raeco management group (CEI Pty Ltd), making Raeco a fully Australian owned company.
2020
2020
Raeco re-launches its library seating and tables range - with a commitment to quality Australian made products & a minimum 5 year warranty.