No fear, just real results
“Fear No Task” isn’t just a motto at Rocheleau Tool & Die Co. — it’s a mindset. For nearly 90 years, a fearless approach has driven innovation and steady growth. Now, with Shell Polymers as its resin supplier, Rocheleau is building on that legacy.
Words that stand the test of time
In 1938, Leopold A. Rocheleau started a machine shop in his basement. On the cover of the journal he kept about his fledgling business, he scribbled three words: Fear No Task.
Nearly 90 years later, that simple phrase remains the guiding principle for the company that still bears L.A.’s name. Now in its third generation of family ownership — with five fourth-generation family members poised to take the reins — Rocheleau has grown from a one-man shop into a leading manufacturer of blow molding equipment nationwide.
“We approach every challenge with that mantra,” says Allison Rocheleau Baker, the company’s marketing and communications manager. “Whatever it is, we’re going to get it done and get through to the other side.”
From machinery to milk jugs
One of the most recent challenges? Expanding from machinery production into bottle production.
Dairies represent one of Rocheleau’s biggest customer segments — the company manufactures the equipment that dairies use to produce their own half-gallon and gallon milk jugs. In 2015, Rocheleau leaders saw an opportunity to enter the bottle production business themselves.
“We discovered there were many small to midsized dairies in our area that required mixed loads and labeling, and we were able to step in to fill the gap,” says Alex Rocheleau, director of product development and financial analysis. “Doing so has helped us better understand the long-term needs of the molders running our equipment.”
Bottle production is now an around-the-clock operation for Rocheleau, which serves dairies and other beverage companies throughout the northeast and beyond.
“It’s a good fit for us as a family business,” Alex says, “because many of these companies are small family businesses, too.”
One (Real)ationship leads to another
For Rocheleau, success has always been driven by relationships — whether with customers, suppliers or industry partners. One of those connections, All Star Purchasing, led Rocheleau to contact Shell Polymers about supplying resin for its new bottle production operation.
“We have a great relationship with All Star,” Alex says. “When they pointed us in that direction, we knew it was something worth looking into. Shell is well-established — you know you’re going to get a quality product.”
One other advantage jumped out immediately: proximity.
Shell Polymers’ Monaca, Pennsylvania, facility is only 600 miles from Rocheleau’s factory near Boston. That’s just a day’s drive away — significantly closer than most other major resin production sites, which are clustered near the Gulf of Mexico.
Reliable supply, real peace of mind
Sourcing from Shell Polymers allowed Rocheleau to reduce resin transit by more than two-thirds, lowering costs and CO2 emissions. An even bigger benefit? Reliability of supply.
“With Shell being located in Pennsylvania, there’s a lot less risk of disruption due to hurricanes or other weather issues,” Alex says. “That gives us peace of mind.”
That reliability was tested early on when a resin shipment from a supplier in Texas was delayed. Shell Polymers responded right away, delivering a bulk order from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts in just 16 hours — keeping production on track.
“We appreciated their willingness to jump in and make things happen," Alex says. "They didn’t hesitate — they just got it done.”
Proving it on the production line
Proximity matters — but only if the quality and consistency are there to back it up. That’s why Shell Polymers encouraged Rocheleau to put its resin to the test in a real-world trial before making any long-term commitments.
“Trials are a key part of our process,” says Tyler Baran, an account manager for Shell Polymers. “We want to make sure it’s a seamless transition for the customer from their previous resin to our resin — a drop-in solution.”
In Rocheleau’s case, the trial took about three hours. Shell Polymers’ technical services team worked alongside Rocheleau’s production crew, making just a few tweaks for speed and weight along the way.
“The new material went in, and we only had to make minimal adjustments to get it right,” Alex says. “It flowed seamlessly into our process.”
With that, Rocheleau gave Shell Polymers the green light to move forward with supplying resin.
A strong start with room to grow
Now, several months in, Rocheleau is experiencing just what it expected from Shell Polymers.
“We’re consistently receiving quality materials on time, along with strong communication and support at every level of business,” Alex says. “Shell’s resin has always performed consistently for us — whether in our production facility or on a machine we’re building for a new customer.”
Looking ahead, Rocheleau sees plenty of opportunities for further collaboration. The company plans to continue taking advantage of Shell Polymers’ expertise as it develops new machinery and products.
“Our relationship with Shell allows us to leverage their extensive expertise in resin technology, which enhances the performance and versatility of our machines,” Alex says. “Collaborating on material trials and process optimization helps our customers achieve the highest levels of productivity, efficiency and product quality.”
That customer-first mindset has fueled Rocheleau’s growth for four generations and counting. With strong (Real)ationships in place and a commitment to stay true to L.A. Rocheleau’s “Fear No Task” mantra, the company is ready for whatever comes next.