RATHBURN PRECISION MACHINING
A HISTORY OF LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
A HISTORY OF LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
Rathburn Precision Machining got its start in 1983, but our history starts well before then in the events and moments that helped define the character of our founder, Jerry Rathburn, and the values of the company he founded.
Jerry was drafted for service in the Vietnam War in 1967, and served in the 199th light infantry as a combat soldier until 1969. Upon his return, he applied the same dogged determination and leadership that had served him well overseas as Sergeant E5 Squad Leader and Chief Computer, responsible for calculations for projectiles (charge, elevation, latitude/longitude) into his education at Purdue University, where he attended night school five nights a week and earned his BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1977.
Jerry maintained a solid work schedule at Dana Corporation as a lab technician during the day while in school to get the experience he desired, and then continued there as an engineer upon graduation.
In keeping with his interest for automobiles and motorcycles, Jerry opened a NAPA Auto Parts store in Ossian, Indiana, in 1976, while still working at Dana. By 1980, at 33 years of age, Jerry achieved status as a Chief Engineer. But manufacturing was his true love.
So, in 1983, Jerry bought out Souder Motors, a local machine shop located in an old car wash relocated from downtown Auburn, Indiana, and created Rathburn Tool & Manufacturing. It started with two manual mills, a gravel floor, and machines on wood blocks.
With a stellar reputation for quality, Jerry and his team steadily built the company, with new CNC machines and a patent for machined parts in the late 1980s. The 1990s maintained the steady growth and set the company up for ongoing success in the 2000s.
“MY VISION FOR RATHBURN WAS NEVER TO BE THE BIGGEST OR FLASHIEST. I WANTED THIS COMPANY TO BE KNOWN FOR THE QUALITY OF THE PEOPLE HERE AND THE QUALITY OF THE WORK WE TURNED OUT EVERY DAY.”
-Jerry Rathburn
Rathburn Precision Machining Timeline
Current-2024
2024 | Renamed to Rathburn Precision Machining to better reflect the focus of the company moving forward
2024 | Recognized among Best Places to Work in Indiana
2024 | Became ITAR Registered
2024 | Added first twin spindle gantry lathe
2023–2020
2023 | Added laser etching and wire EDM capabilities
2022 | IMA Manufacturing Excellence Award, Chamber Business of the Year Award
2022 | Enhanced automation capabilities with first cobot
2021 | Obtained WBE and WOSB certifications
2020 | Expanded multi-axis lathe and Swiss capabilities
2019–2015
2019 | Added Swiss machining capabilities
2019 | Angie Holt begins her role as president
2016 | Received IATF 16949:2016 certification
2015 | Implemented electronic tool management system | Received TS 16949:2015 certification
2014–2010
2014 | Added our first industrial robot cell
2012 | Developed and implemented first custom automated work cell
2011 | Expanded operations to 39,200 sq.ft.
2009–2005
2007 | Implemented 5S
2006 | Expanded operations to include 12 CNC machines
2004–2000
2003 | Implemented 1st ERP system for inventory, scheduling and tracking of production
2002 | Introduced 401(k) to employees with employer matching
2001 | Received ISO 9001:2000 certification | Added first cellular work center
1999–1995
1999 | Named Community Partner of the Year | Received ISO 9002:1994 certification
1996 | Awarded the Lt. Governor Outstanding Indiana Business Award
1994–1990
1994 | Expanded our facilities to 17,600 sq. ft.
1993 | Added our first fully automated CNC mill
1990 | Added our first CNC lathe
1990 | Implemented SPC, conducted training for companies throughout the region
1989–1985
1989 | Awarded our first U.S. patent awarded for machined parts
1988 | Added our second CNC machine
1987 | Added the first non-captive CNC machine in the region
1984–1980
1983 | Company founded by U.S. Army Vietnam veteran Jerry Rathburn
under Three Daughters Corporation, to honor his family and future generations.
