Employee Spotlight - Meet Mary Raichle: The Heart of ISO Quality Management at Achilles Plastic Film
- 9 hours ago
- 3 min read
At Achilles USA, quality is a living system, and this is the person who keeps it running every single day:
Meet Mary Raichle, our Document Control and ISO Coordinator. Mary is the force behind our ISO quality management program. She ensures our ISO 9001 Quality Management System is properly implemented, administers our Document Control system, and serves as Lead Auditor. In short, she makes sure our commitment to quality is not just a promise, but a documented, auditable, and continuously improving reality across our plastic film operations.
A Career Built on Commitment
Mary's journey at Achilles began on May 27, 1997, as a temporary placement. It didn't take long for her to see what makes this company different. Nearly 29 years later, she remains one of the most knowledgeable and trusted members of our team.
"What drew me to continuing was the commitment to making the best quality on the market and the drive to continually improve both our products and how our company works," she says.
That kind of alignment between personal values and company culture is rare. For Mary, it's been the foundation of a three-decade career.
Two Certifications, One Strong Audit Culture
Ask Mary about her proudest achievements, and she'll point to two milestones. First, she played a key role in earning Achilles USA both its ISO 9001 (Quality Management) and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) certifications. These are internationally recognized standards that reflect our dedication to quality and sustainability in plastic film manufacturing.
Second, and perhaps closest to her heart, is the internal audit team she has helped build over the years. For Mary, strong auditing isn't about finding fault. It's about learning, growing, and getting better. "The audit program is one of the major ways to learn about the company and to ensure that we continue to improve," she shares. She's also excited that the CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) process is getting back on track, a sign that the ISO quality management systems she has helped build are resilient and always moving forward.
A Culture Where Problems Get Solved
Mary describes the culture at Achilles as deeply focused on quality and improvement, and she values the space it creates for honest problem-solving. "When there are problems, I'm able to help ensure that they're properly solved and eliminated," she explains. That environment, one where issues are addressed rather than ignored, is what allows people like Mary to do their best work. In a plastic film manufacturing environment where process consistency directly impacts product performance, that mindset matters.
One of the most visible changes Mary has witnessed during her nearly three decades here is the transformation of the 3rd-floor mixing areas on the two of our biggest lines. "It used to be dusty and messy. It's night and day compared to how it is now," she recalls. It's a small detail that tells a bigger story. Continuous improvement at Achilles isn't just a slogan inside our ISO quality management framework. You can see it, breathe it, and measure it.
For anyone new to Achilles, Mary's advice is both straightforward and encouraging. "Achilles is a great company to work at because you can continue to grow and learn here. The focus on slow, continual improvement means that there are always new opportunities to learn and expand, which isn't common at other companies anymore." That perspective only comes from someone who has lived it for nearly three decades.
Beyond the Office
Outside of work, Mary brings the same creativity and patience to her hobbies that she applies to quality management. She sews, crochets, paints with watercolors, and writes fiction. She also has a deep knowledge of plants, and if you've ever walked past her office, you already know it. It's easily one of the greenest spots in the building, a little indoor garden tucked right into the heart of Achilles.
Whether she's tending to her plants, building a quilt, or closing out a nonconformance, Mary has a gift for bringing structure to complex things.
Thank you, Mary, for nearly 29 years of dedication and expertise, and for being such a steady force behind everything that makes Achilles USA a quality-driven plastic film manufacturer. We're proud to have you on the team.
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