Chhaya leads by example. She continues to research emerging trends, while mentoring and motivating the entire team. Chhaya remembers names and loves speaking with everyone. Behind the scenes, Chhaya sets strategic objectives that facilitate growth.
About Us
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.
INTRODUCTION TO RAECO
behind the scenes
After 60 years, 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
They 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.
Every day 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 committed to the United Nations Sustainable Goals
Raeco’s operations, policies, practices and special projects are targeting goals 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 17.
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.
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).
IMAGE RIGHT: More library shelving and furniture delivered for free from Raeco to Asia Hope School in 2023.
TEAM PLAYERS
Leadership 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!
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 knowledgeable approach gives you confidence plus clarity during your library refurbishment or build.
Carmen Griffiths
Area Manager – VIc
Carmen is ready to help you with designing and selecting your shelving and furniture. Having an eye for detail and extensive experience of working and planning spaces with a range of customers, Carmen will will work with you to ensure your project is wow-worthy!
Leanne Mayer
AREA MANAGER – NORTH SYDNEY, NORTHERN NSW
Leanne is ready to help you with planning and sourcing your shelving and furniture to maximise your space. Having an eye for detail and extensive interior design experience, Leanne will help create a functional, flexible library that is loved by all!
Karen Cornish
Area Manager – Southern NSW & ACT
With a wealth of knowledge of schools and a passion for interiors, Karen has found her niche at Raeco! She loves to go the extra mile for her customers to bring their vision to life and create a result they’ll be proud of and excited to show.
SERVICES TEAM
Rochelle Taleyratne
Customer Service Manager
With an extensive background in business analytics, Rochelle’s attention to detail and skill at streamlining is crucial to the Raeco team. Her methodical and clear-cut approach to systems and processes is instrumental in maintaining and improving the Raeco customer experience.
Christine Lawler
Customer Service Agent
We love having Christine on our team. She ensures every single transaction and customer encounter is completed perfectly and on time. Christine is always quick to help out other team members and loves a good laugh!
Michelle Slade
Key Account Manager
Working closely with our Director of Sales, Michelle provides assistance to our base of Architects, Book Processors and Major Project customers. She’s experienced, organised and customer focused – ready to provide solutions to you.
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.
Paula Kelly Paull
Raeco Ambassador
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!
Adam Clancy
Marketing Coordinator
No two days are ever the same for Adam. His varied roles include graphic design, event management, social media and campaign creation, web development, photography, print management… OK, we think you get the idea.
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 10 year warranty.
2022
Raeco celebrates 60 years by releasing Bioguard 80®, the world's first FULLY biodegradable book covering.