BEDFORD COUNTY, PA — CaptiveAire, the leading manufacturer of commercial kitchen
ventilation systems in North America, has announced a significant expansion adjacent to its
existing facilities in the Bedford County Business Park. The new 120,000 square foot building
will house 16 Class A offices, as well as warehousing and potential production space designed
to support the company’s Paragon HVAC growth.
“We are thrilled to continue our growth in Bedford County,” said Bob Luddy, Founder and CEO
of CaptiveAire. “This expansion underscores the dedication and hard work of our team and
reaffirms our commitment to innovation and excellence in serving our customers.” In addition to
the top- level engineering and manufacturing talent in Bedford, Luddy cited proximity to major
markets, an excellent transportation system, a great place for employees to live and BCDA’s
strong support as reasons for the company’s continued growth in our region.
CaptiveAire first established its presence in Bedford County in 2008 with the purchase of a
67,000 square foot building, which was subsequently expanded to 84,000 square feet. In 2018,
the company doubled its footprint by adding an additional 84,000 square feet. To meet the
demand for its new ductwork and HVAC product lines, CaptiveAire invested $10 million in 2020
to construct a new 100,000 square foot facility.
“We are delighted with CaptiveAire’s continued expansion in Bedford County,” commented Jeff
Crist, Chair of the Bedford County Development Association (BCDA).”Their growth is a
testament to our skilled workforce and CaptiveAire’s commitment to delivering innovative, high-
quality products.”
Founded in 1976 in a one-room facility, CaptiveAire started with a $1,300 investment in a sheet
metal business by Bob Luddy. Today, the company employs 2,100 people and maintains a
network of over 90 sales offices across the U.S. and Canada. CaptiveAire operates
manufacturing plants in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Oklahoma, California, and Florida.
In addition to manufacturing commercial kitchen ventilation systems, the company now provides
a complete solution of fans, heaters, ductwork, and HVAC equipment.
The company is widely respected as an industry leader with innovative technologies, excellent
service, competitive pricing, and rapid lead times.
“Bob Luddy is an extraordinary entrepreneur, visionary and industry leader. Since his initial
investment in our Bedford County Business Park, Bob has continued to grow and expand the
Bedford operations. CaptiveAire’s investment in facilities and payroll has had a tremendous
impact on our local economy. We applaud the company’s success and appreciate its
commitment to Bedford County,” noted Bette Slayton, BCDA President and CEO.
Clark Contractors is collaborating with CaptiveAire on the design of the new project, with
construction scheduled to commence in 2025.
For more information, contact:
Bette Slayton at slayton@bcda.org
Bill Griffin at bill.griffin@captiveaire.com