The Secret Sauce of Success: Lessons from the Grill to the Warehouse

I wanted to take a moment to share some thoughts that have been simmering in my mind, inspired by a personal experience that ties directly into how we run things at Ratermann Manufacturing. As many of you know, life has a funny way of serving up lessons in the most unexpected places—this time, it was at the dinner table.

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About five or six years ago, my wife and I were in San Antonio for a GAWDA meeting. After a busy week, we decided to cap it off with a dinner at the Tower of the Americas. It was one of those “let’s treat ourselves” moments, and little did I know that this meal would serve up more than just great food—it would offer a masterclass in creating unforgettable experiences through well-crafted processes.

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The evening started with us checking in down below. After the long elevator ride, we got to the top, and we were greeted with, "Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Ratermann How are you tonight?" The staff knew exactly where we wanted to sit and made it happen seamlessly. My wife looked at me, clearly impressed, and I couldn’t help but think, "Wow, I really pulled off a special night here." But in reality, the credit wasn’t mine. The restaurant had processes in place that ensured our evening would be extraordinary.

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That got me thinking—what we experienced was the end result of years of perfecting processes, from the way the staff greeted us to how the meal was prepared and served. It was a well-oiled machine that made everything seem effortless, and that’s exactly what we strive to achieve at Ratermann Manufacturing.

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Much like that dinner, when a customer receives a product from us, they’re seeing the final result. They don’t see the behind-the-scenes work—the systems, the checks, and the balances that go into making sure everything is just right. Our processes are designed to create that same level of effortless perfection for our customers.

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I often compare running a business to my love for barbecuing. Anyone who knows me knows I’m a tri-tip guy. I’ve got this mustard-based marinade that I swear by, and I let the meat sit in it for about 30 hours before it even sees the smoker. I’ve got a whole process down, from getting the meat to room temperature to searing it just right and then cooking it low and slow. I even have a built-in buffer in case the cocktail hour runs a little long, so no matter what, the food turns out perfectly.

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But here’s the thing—this process didn’t come overnight. It came after a lot of trial and error, and yes, a few burnt dinners. It’s the same with business. Processes evolve over time, and they need to be flexible enough to adjust to the unexpected, just like adding a little extra time on the smoker when your guests are enjoying their wine.

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At Ratermann Manufacturing, we’ve taken years of experience and boiled it down into key processes that ensure consistency and quality. Whether it’s packing an order, managing inventory, or serving our customers, every step has been fine-tuned to create a seamless experience. And just like my barbecue, we’ve built in some flexibility to adapt as needed, because let’s face it—things don’t always go according to plan.

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In the end, the goal is simple: create a customer experience so smooth and satisfying that it seems effortless, just like that perfect meal. And just like my grill, we’ll keep refining our processes, learning from our mistakes, and always striving to deliver the best.

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So, the next time you’re enjoying a perfectly cooked meal or receiving a product from us, remember—it’s all about the process. And just like at the Tower of the Americas, we want you to walk away thinking, “Wow, that was something special.”

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Thanks for reading, and here’s to perfecting the process, one step at a time!

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Cheers,??

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George?Ratermann

CEO, Ratermann Manufacturing

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