Stepping Into Ownership in 2001
As Quality Glass Block celebrates 50 years in business, May’s story is about transition, resilience, and the values that helped shape the company into what it is today. In 2001, Ray officially took over the company from his father, Ray Sr., stepping into a new role that would challenge him in ways he never expected. But while ownership changed hands, the foundation the company was built on remained the same: hard work, loyalty, and treating people the right way.
Ray never followed the traditional path into business ownership. He didn’t go to college, but he knew early on that he loved working in the family business. He saw firsthand that Quality Glass Block wasn’t just a job—it was an opportunity to build something meaningful and create a good life through honest work.
Before taking over the company, Ray had already ventured into business ownership himself, operating a vent manufacturing company that produced vents for companies like Quality Glass Block. That experience helped him better understand manufacturing, customer relationships, and the realities of running a business.
Learning to Lead Multiple Locations
Taking over Quality Glass Block came with a completely new set of responsibilities.
For the first time in his life, Ray was responsible for running multiple locations, all based in Morris, Illinois. At the same time, he was managing an established business located 45 minutes away in another county. Balancing operations, employees, logistics, and customer expectations across multiple locations was a major adjustment.
It was no longer just about doing the work, it was about leading the entire company through growth, change, and uncertainty.
Thankfully, Ray wasn’t alone in those early years. Ray Sr. continued working alongside him for several years after the transition, helping maintain continuity and sharing decades of knowledge with the next generation. Around the shop, familiar faces remained part of the daily rhythm of the company. Ray Sr.’s friend Ned was still making mortar and helping Chris, who joined the business in 2002 and quickly became an important part of the team.
Facing the Challenges of the Great Recession
Only a few years after Ray took over, the company faced one of its biggest challenges yet: the Great Recession.
Within five years of purchasing the business, approximately 85% of their customer base went out of business. Companies they had worked with for years suddenly disappeared, and the industry changed almost overnight.
Like many family businesses during that time, Quality Glass Block had to make difficult decisions to survive. Eventually, they were forced to eliminate one of their locations in order to keep the company moving forward.
It was a painful period, but it also reinforced many of the lessons Ray had learned from his father over the years.
The Work Ethic Ray Sr. Passed Down
Ray Sr. is known for his incredible work ethic. One phrase he often said perfectly summed up his mindset:
“I might not be as smart as you, but you won’t outwork me.”
That mentality became part of the company culture and deeply influenced the way Ray approached business ownership himself. Hard work was never optional, it was simply expected.
Ray Sr. also always wanted the people around him to strive to be their best. He believed in leading by example and pushing people to take pride in what they did every day. One of the reasons Chris became such a valuable employee early on was because he had the opportunity to work closely with Ray Sr., learning directly from someone who genuinely cared about craftsmanship, discipline, and doing quality work.
Building a Company Around People
Beyond work ethic, Ray Sr. believed deeply in treating employees the right way.
After experiencing disappointment in how he was treated at other companies throughout his life, he became determined to build a workplace where people mattered. He believed that no matter how large a company becomes, it should never forget the employees who help make it successful.
Without them, there is no company.
That philosophy stayed with Ray and continues to shape the culture at Quality Glass Block today. More than 20 years after taking over the business, Ray’s leadership still reflects the lessons his father instilled from the very beginning.
Carrying the Legacy Forward
Through economic uncertainty, changing industries, and decades of growth, the values behind Quality Glass Block have remained consistent: work hard, take care of your employees, and never stop striving to do your best.
That legacy is what continues to carry Quality Glass Block forward—50 years and counting.
Give us a follow!