Building Excellence Through Experience and Innovation
RP Abrasives (RPA) was incorporated in 1996 and purchased in 2002 by Joe Shean, a manager for a large machine tool manufacturing company. Joe and his wife were looking for a way to come back to New England, so he decided to take on the adventure of owning a small business catering to the manufacturing industry and their need for deburring and metal finishing services.
In the early years, RPA was in a long-term contract with one of the major mobile telecommunication companies to polish parts for their phones. At the height of production, RPA was polishing 250,000 parts per week, with 2 shifts running 10 hours a day Monday through Thursday and an additional 8 hours per shift on Friday.
In early 2003, RPA faced its greatest challenge when it was announced that our largest customer would be moving production overseas. This decision would cost the company more than 80% of its revenues. Rather than accept defeat, Joe chose eight of the best metal-finishing experts from the 50 employees on staff at the time. From this foundation, Joe began rebuilding RPA, transforming it into the reputable finishing company it is today. Four of those original eight employees remain with us today, a testament to both their expertise and our commitment to building lasting professional relationships.
Your RPA Team
Derek Beatty – Production Manager & Process Developer
Derek serves as our production manager, process developer, and process improvement manager. Once your order arrives, Derek works closely with our operations team to ensure it gets processed efficiently through our shop. His expertise in developing and refining finishing processes ensures that each project meets our exacting quality standards while optimizing production efficiency.
Ashley Powell – VP of Operations
Ashley oversees our day-to-day operations and manages accounts receivable and payable functions. Working hand in hand with Derek, Ashley ensures that once your order arrives, it moves seamlessly through our production process. Her operational oversight guarantees that projects stay on schedule and meet delivery commitments while maintaining our quality standards.
Tim Harris – Customer Process Specialist
Tim works directly with new customers to determine which processes will best meet their specific needs. Drawing on his deep understanding of surface-finishing applications, Tim collaborates closely with Derek and Ashley to implement optimal solutions for each unique requirement. His consultative approach ensures that new clients receive the precise finishing services their applications demand.
Joe Shean – Owner & Strategic Leadership
Joe keeps the whole team moving in the right direction. With his background in machine tool manufacturing and nearly two decades of experience building RPA from the ground up, Joe brings both strategic vision and hands-on industry knowledge to every project. His leadership philosophy centers on developing processes that can be applied across various parts from multiple customers, ensuring RPA never again faces the vulnerability of depending on a single client relationship.
Our Commitment to Quality and Partnership
Ashley, Derek, Tim, Joe, and our entire team have worked tirelessly to grow our customer base and develop processes that can be applied to various parts from diverse industries. This diversification strategy was developed early on so that what happened in 2003 would never happen again. RPA is proud to say that we still maintain relationships with many of our original customers who have come to depend on our expertise in deburring and mechanical surface finishing. We’ve also welcomed many new customers who rely on RPA for their surface finishing and deburring needs.
Quality Assurance and Support
If quality issues arise with any project, please reach out directly to Tim, Derek, and Ashley. Our team takes personal responsibility for every part that passes through our facility, and we’re committed to resolving any concerns quickly and effectively. Our commitment to quality is backed by our ISO 9001:2015 certification and comprehensive compliance with industry standards, including ASTM, AMS, RoHS, and DFARS requirements.
Ready to Partner with RPA?
Whether your company needs deburring, bead blasting, tumbling, polishing, or buffing, contact RPA, and we’ll work with you to develop a process that meets or exceeds your goals. We provide samples free of charge and will quote from prints or drawings.
We thank you for allowing us to help you with your finishing needs and hope we can continue to do so for years to come.