Bedford History
From a shoestring startup to the worlds largest twist tie manufacturer.
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A poorly performing paper/asphalt tie on a loaf of bread during an ice fishing trip inspires Bob and Pat Ludlow to enter the twist tie business.
1965Bob’s hand-drawn sketch of Bedford’s first brochure -
Bob and Pat hire their first employee and begin developing plastic coated wire twist ties in a small garage. The company is named after Bob’s father, Bedford Ludlow.
1966The garage where it all started Bedford’s first twist tie brochure -
Introduces the paper/plastic twist tie, quickly adopted by the baking industry for its durability and printability.
1971Original printed twist tie spool -
Builds a new 33,000 sq ft manufacturing facility, still home to operations today after multiple expansions.
1973Construction begins on Bedford’s new manufacturing facility Bob and Pat Ludlow -
The Double Wire Tin-Tie® debuts as a handy reclosure for the snack and cookie industry.
1974 -
Develops the Precision Wound® Tie, valued in large bakeries for the special winding technique that eliminated the plastic spool.
1975 -
Begins manufacturing polytrays for the candy and cookie industry.
1977 -
Establishes Bedford Plastics using thermoforming technology for fast food packaging.
1981 -
Bedford Plastics introduces Microlite microwavable containers and dual ovenable trays. Shortly after relocates to larger Sioux Falls facility.
1983Bedford Plastics’ campus in Sioux Falls, S.D. -
Bedford Plastics is sold to Amoco Oil’s High Performance Packaging Division. Bedford Transportation is founded, enabling direct customer deliveries across the U.S. and Canada while controlling rising shipping costs.
1988Bedford Transportation’s first fleet -
Introduces Bedford Bendable Ribbon® for the craft and floral industry, available wholesale and in select retail stores.
1989Bedford Outlet Store in Worthington, MN -
Bedford Plastic Timbers® is founded, turning waste plastic and reclaimed bottles into durable plastic lumber.
1990Bedford recycled plastic lumber bench -
Introduces Peel & Stick® to the coffee industry for small roasters.
1991 -
Expands into tying automation with the creation of Bedford Technology.
1992 -
New produce-labeling requirements spark innovation, leading to Produce Tie, BibTies, and other identification solutions to help fresh produce stand out.
1995Bob with a produce cart at the PMA trade show -
Bedford sells the machinery and plastic lumber business to a group of engineers, allowing focused growth in both areas.
1998 -
Enters the medical industry with Bedford Bendable Components®, adding structure and flexibility to face masks, drapes, and medical fabrics.
2000 -
Introduces PolyTwist, a wire free twist tie to pass metal detection.
2001PolyTwist spool -
ElastiTag is born! The produce industry loves the all-in-one branding and tagging solution, and soon the tag starts popping up in new markets everywhere.
2004ElastiTag spool -
Rising demand for ElastiTag leads to the first automated application systems, inspiring a wave of fresh design improvements.
2009Northfield ElastiTag Applicator -
A new advanced printing center opens, boosting ElastiTag capabilities and making smaller, more flexible production runs possible.
2012 -
Bedford turns 50! Employees, families, and friends celebrate five decades of teamwork, growth, and big ideas.
201650th anniversary celebration -
CloseIt® arrives, adding high-quality printing and custom shapes to everyday bag clips with compatible automation.
2018V1 Machine -
Launches TagBack®, offering people a simple way to return and recycle tags and ties.
2019TagBack collection boxes Tags mailed back by customers -
Demand for Bedford nose wire surges during the COVID-19 pandemic; ElastiShield™ face shields are rapidly developed.
2020ElastiShield face shield Face mask tie -
Tying machines grow rapidly following the release of the Mini Tyer™ Pro, valued for its compact size and speed.
2021 -
The first PolyScape recycled plastic lumber boards are sold, giving new life to internal scrap and TagBack returns.
2023PolyScape boards -
Bedford acquires Tach-It, expanding Entry-Level Automation™ solutions. Current & retired Bedford employees and their families celebrate the 60th anniversary.
2026
From its expanding 368,000 sq-ft campus in Worthington, MN (about 6.5 football fields!), Bedford keeps dreaming up new ideas, products, and solutions for the future.
