08.29.11 |
The Night Before Farm Progress
Who are we kidding! The 2011 Farm Progress Show is kicking off tomorrow in Decatur, Illinois and the beehive is buzzing. As dusk set in, the Bedford Reinforced Plastics crew was putting the final touches on their booth that they are sharing with Trellis Growing Systems -a company that sells a cutting-edge RCA (Rotating Cross Arm) System that grows blackberries in the Midwest. Yes you heard right- the weather is no longer a match for the blackberry. Bedford has a unique story to tell this week. Not only were they contacted by Trellis Growing Systems to use their FRP to create a custom blackberry growing solution, but they work with growers across the U.S. to develop other agribusiness solutions. FRP is one of the most durable, long-lasting, weather resistant materials on Earth and perfect for farmers who need heavy duty solutions on the farm.
So be sure to visit Booth 575 during the Farm Progress Show. We’ll also be bringing you updates, photos and more. We’re also sponsoring AgWired.com’s onsite coverage of the show and they will be bringing dynamic, unique and multimedia content from Decatur so be sure to check it out as well. Click here to see AgWired’s Farm Progress Photo album. Click here to see Bedford’s FRP In Action Photo Album. |
It’s the night before
During the show, Bedford will be showcasing FRP in action. In addition, they are co-hosting a Blackberry Tasting Reception. Have a few of these blackberries and you’ll be the next Midwestern blackberry farmer!
News Release Archive08.27.11 |
Check Out Eric Kidd’s AgWired Interview
Eric Kidd was featured on AgWired.com discussing Bedford’s history in the agricultural space and all the custom FRP solutions they offer to growers. He also discusses the company’s new website. Here is an except: Bedford Launches New Solutions Focused Website There are two launches today – the Farm Progress Show kicked off in Decatur, Illinois this morning and Bedford Reinforced Plastics has unveiled its new solution-oriented website – a perfect tool for growers.
The founder of the company was a dairy farmer and when he started the business, they started out making fencing. Last couple of years Kidd said they have been working with fertilizer companies because fertilizer is a very corrosive material and their FRP doesn’t corrode. Bedford is also a good fit for poultry barns and other livestock sheds – going from the traditional wood structure to a non-corrosive FRP structure. “Poultry feces is very corrosive so you’re constantly replacing many parts of the barns,” said Kidd. “Whether replacing one wood structure at a time or building a brand new building from composites, you don’t have to deal with maintenance issues.” Click here to read the rest of the story and to listen to the interview. |
Many in the agribusiness arena may not be familiar with Bedford. The company manufacturers custom FRP (fiberglass-reinforced polymers) for many different industries. But the company actually has its roots in agriculture. This I learned from Eric Kidd, the Director of Marketing for Bedford.08.24.11 |
Visit Bedford at Farm Progress
Did you know our FRP material is featured in the Trellis Growing System? We worked together to design a blackberry trellis that could withstand all kinds of conditions. We’re hosting a Blackberry Tasting Reception in our booth on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 from 4-5 pm. During the reception, you can see the blackberry trellis system in action and learn why blackberries are becoming the new cash crop in the Midwest. We’ll see you there! |
Bedford will be showcasing their Media Coverage Archive08.30.11 |
Bedford Launches New Website
Bedford Launches New Website And Custom Agribusiness Solutions For Growers Website unveiled during Farm Progress Show
According to Eric Kidd, the company’s director of marketing, the founder was a former dairy farmer. He began building the company by installing fences using their key product – custom FRP (fiberglass-reinforced polymer). Today the product’s applications have multiplied and some of their product has been in the “field” for more than 30 years. “Bedford’s new website offers our customers more in-depth information on custom FRP solutions – how it’s made, where it’s used, how it compares to traditional building materials, and more. In all, it’s a team effort to begin gaining greater trust from key stakeholders in their confidence of the material,” said Kidd. Growers who have used this product may have been curious at first, but when they discovered how indestructible FRP was, they become true believers. For example, Kidd said they have a lot of interest to build poultry barns and other livestock sheds because FRP is non-corrosive and animal feces corrodes traditional wood or metal structures. By building with FRP, you have a structure that will last 25 plus years and no longer have to worry about maintenance issues. Another feature that sets Bedford apart is their commitment to providing solutions. FRP is not for everyone, said Kidd because it is more expensive at the front end. But growers who have built ag structures with the material soon discover it is money well spent. The company’s sales team works with each individual to first determine if they have a need and then to best create a solution to meet that need. And it all comes with the best industry product guarantee in the world – a 25-year limited product warranty. We are focused on providing solutions and we have been committed to the agricultural industry since we began and we will never move away from the industry that helped to make us successful,” said Kidd. “That’s why we felt is was so important to carry our solutions-minded work ethic and partnerships from the field to home- in this case our website.” “We hope that our updated brand identity and more user-friendly site will help customers see our passion and commitment to this important industry,” concluded Kidd. You can see several custom FRP solutions in action this week during the Farm Progress Show. Visit Bedford Reinforced Plastics at Booth 575 to learn more. |
Two things are launching today – the Farm Progress Show in Decatur, IL and Events Archive
“Adapt. Innovate. Overcome.” That mission is posted throughout our facilities and it says a lot about who we are. From our humble beginnings to today’s ever-growing operation, we’ve always been driven to help customers solve their toughest challenges.
The Stahl family started the company in 1974 with a small barn, three pultrusion machines and about a dozen employees, primarily manufacturing products for the agricultural market. Since then, we’ve continued steady growth and expanded our line of high-performance structural fiberglass products to serve a wide range of applications and markets.
Today, Bedford is still privately owned and operated by the Stahl family in the same Central Pennsylvania countryside where it began. We now have more than 250 full-time employees and 200,000-plus square feet of manufacturing space, including a state-of-the-art fabrication center.
