Provided photo / A Bedford Reinforced Plastics employee organizes some of the company's materials in a warehouse.
Cessna — From humble beginnings in a small barn in Bedford Township, Bedford Reinforced Plastics has grown into a global company.
Founded in 1974 by Melvin Stahl, the company will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024.
Stahl started the business with 12 employees and three pultrusion machines, producing products primarily for the agricultural market, such as fencing supplies.
BRP began manufacturing other composite structural molded products around 1985 and is now a full-service supplier of a wide range of glass fiber reinforced polymer products and services. Bedford Reinforced Plastics has 200 employees and an 85,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Cessna and a 105,000 square foot facility in Bedford County Industrial Park I (formerly the Cannondale building) for inventory, manufacturing and assembly. It is used in
The company currently has annual revenues of more than $60 million.
Over the past 50 years, the company has invested in creating new technologies and cutting-edge manufacturing methods to enhance its portfolio of high-performance structural fiberglass products for a wide range of applications and markets.
The company manufactures thousands of different products.
“One of our first structural components was a sludge flight scraper for water treatment tanks,” said Eric Kidd, marketing director, who has been with the company since 1987.
As well as power generation products, sewage treatment plants and products for sewage treatment plants also form an important part of the business.
BTP recently launched its Ready series modular FRP products, including ladders, platforms, guardrails and handrail systems, stair towers, and span bridges.
According to the company profile, the Ready Series modular components are made from fiberglass-reinforced polymers, which allow them to withstand harsh conditions that wood or metal cannot handle.
“OSCO SAFETY (BRP's national distributor) has exclusive rights to distribute the Ready series and that is our main future direction. It is now our flagship product. We are preparing for a full-scale launch,” said Thomas S. Wright, Director of Business Development, who has been with the company since 1991.
BRP has also recently expanded into automation and robotics.
“We have grown strategically based on the markets we are entering and capturing. Our strategic plan for 2022 included automation and robotics.
“We're leveraging AI now,” Wright said. “We're just starting to scratch the surface on this. Businesses need to embrace it, but it's not going anywhere.”
“It's difficult to get people together. We need to figure out how to do things with a limited number of people,” Kidd said.
BRP also has a 3D printing shop, a process called additive manufacturing.
“We're trying to get up to 140 3D printers, and now we're down to 90,” Wright said.
BRP has a very diverse customer base.
“Our products are more commercial than residential. They are shipped all over the United States and around the world,” Wright said.
For example, Packer, a trucking company that manufactures Peterbilt and Kenworth trucks, is a major customer.
“We make battery holddown straps for them,” Kidd said.
Local customers include Structural Fiberglass Inc. and Leister Machine of Bedford.
Both companies have been doing business with BRP for over 35 years.
“They are one of our major suppliers and last year they were our number one supplier. BRP's flexibility over the past 50 years has helped make it the company it is today. Its products Their customer service team has changed over the years, but they've always had the same mindset of doing what it takes to make customers smile. said Nora Williams, sales and purchasing agent for Structural Fiberglass Inc., a designer and manufacturer of fiberglass structures. She is a distributor of structural systems and fiberglass materials.
“We buy a lot from them. They are top notch, some of the best when it comes to service, and I can't say enough good things about them. We have a close relationship with them. We've been outsourcing them for years. They're great,” said Leister's owner, Andy Leister.
In 2023, BRP introduced Enhanced Logistics, a transportation division specializing in freight arrangement and managed transportation services throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Bedford Reinforced Plastics has been a pillar of the community for the past 50 years, said Bette Slayton, president and CEO of the Bedford County Development Association.
“The company's heritage as a leading employer is evident in the creation of quality jobs and strong support for community initiatives. The company makes a significant contribution to the local economy through annual payroll, property taxes and support of local businesses. “I've done that,” Slayton said. “As important as our economic impact, BRP's commitment to excellence has brought pride and recognition to our county by showcasing innovative, world-renowned products. BRP Wonders Despite our growth, the people of BRP have always cherished our deep roots in Bedford County, and we are very proud of them.”
Company officials cite several reasons for its success.
“We refuse to lose our mentality. We may not have the answers, but we have a strong team brainstorming and moving forward,” Wright said. “We have a very strong marketing program and website. We are very active on social media. We are the only standout company that constantly updates our online inventory.”
“We have had a strong and consistent leadership group, from the Stahl family to today's management team,” Kidd said.
The company is currently owned by Adam and Brian Stahl, sons of Melvin and Karin.
Kidd said BRPs is best known for its customer service.
Kidd is excited that the company is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
“This is quite a milestone. The company has changed in ways I could never have imagined since I started,” Kidd said.
Officials are optimistic about the future.
“We're building a company for the next 50 years. We're looking for the next generation of leaders within our company,” Wright said.
The company is planning a special celebration for employees, valued customers, vendor partners, and state and local dignitaries on June 7th.
Mirror Staff writer Walt Frank can be reached at 814-946-7467.
