New opportunities, new products, expanding markets
Written by Harry Zimbler for Progress & Industry Edition of the Bedford Gazette
Nestled gently along a quiet rural road in Bedford County, Bedford Materials is engaged in world class engineering that serves a multitude of markets. As a component manufacturer, Bedford Materials was once heavily involved with the electrical market. It has now embraced a variety of processes for many industries.
“Nothing we do here is a finished product,” said Ron Dandrea, President and CEO, Bedford Materials. “Instead, the company offers products and processes used extensively in industries like aerospace, ballistics, and medical products.”
Bedford Materials recently signed a five-year contract with an aerospace company that will allow Bedford Materials to add six new employees. The contract led to the purchase and installation of new equipment.
“It is costing us $100,000,” said Dandrea. “We have also installed a regenerative incinerator to ensure the protection of the environment.”
According to Dandrea, who has been CEO since 2003, Bedford Materials now produces 50 percent of the world market in transformer insulation at the former Westinghouse facility. “We were competing with a company that built its own paper factory. Now we are partners and we control our supply chain.”
When he arrived in Bedford from Pittsburgh, Dandrea set out to establish a culture of acceptance and ensure a smooth transition to new leadership.
“We now have 50 employees here,” he stated. “Our jobs are the type that we can easily train new employees. This a great place to live and work. We have almost doubled our size in the last six years.”
Dandrea said that he was working to preserve — even expand — what he called the Bedford Materials culture. “We have three generations of families working here,” said Dandrea. “Passing the torch is important to me. I am trying to maintain the strong work ethic that has been identified here in Bedford County. We provide excellent employment opportunities.”
Currently, Bedford Materials contributes to products by adding primarily coated papers, flexible coated fabrics, and advanced composites. A wide variety of substrates including: craft paper, glass, cotton, Kevlar™ cloths, polyester film, Nomex™ paper, and nonwoven mats are also materials used, among others.
Moving into the future, Dandrea expects to identify more niche markets that can increase Bedford Materials’ profitability and employment opportunities.
Recently, Bedford Materials was one of four winners out of 700 nominees for a Supplier Recognition Award. “This kind of recognition will help us enter additional markets. I want to keep this place going for a long time,” Dandrea said.