A Leader in Advanced Manufacturing
Who We Are
BendTec has grown to become a comprehensive advanced manufacturer that provides a wide range of services to a variety of customers and industries.
Our Story
For more than a century, BendTec has evolved alongside the industries it serves. Our roots trace back to 1916, when Rubin Meierhoff founded Modern Plumbing & Heating Co. in Duluth, Minnesota.
Before World War II, the company specialized in converting building heating systems from coal to oil. During the war, our team helped support the nation’s shipbuilding efforts by installing piping systems aboard vessels constructed for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard.
Built on a foundation of craftsmanship, technical expertise, and adaptability, BendTec has grown into a comprehensive advanced manufacturing partner serving a wide range of industries. Today, we continue that legacy with over 100 years of demonstrated excellence in fabrication and manufacturing.
Our Mission
To provide advanced manufacturing services rooted in precision and craftsmanship for the industries building tomorrow.
Our Vision
To help shape the future through manufacturing excellence, delivering the expertise, quality, and innovation that enable our customers to move their industries forward.
The values that drive everything we do
Partnership
We understand the value of long-term client and industry relationships is built through transparency and trust. With over 100 years of experience, we know functional partnerships are integral to sustaining and achieving success. We foster these kinds of relationships by working with customers to develop solutions; committing to communication, trust, and transparency throughout a project; and demonstrating that we work with their best interest in mind.
Excellence
Our reputation is built on the superior quality of our work, our products, and our people. We are committed to maintaining high standards across every project, service, and interaction by fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Through innovation, attention to detail, and a dedication to delivering results, we empower our team to perform at the highest level and provide solutions our partners can depend on.
Safety
The safety of our team, our partners, and the end users of our products and services is our highest priority. We are committed to maintaining a culture where safety is integrated into every aspect of our work, from planning and training to execution and long-term support. By emphasizing responsibility, awareness, and clear communication, we strive to protect our people and deliver reliable solutions that meet the highest standards of care.
Adaptability
We are committed to being a trusted solution for our customers today while preparing for the challenges of tomorrow. As industries, technologies, and customer needs continue to evolve, we push ourselves and our partners to innovate, improve, and adapt in meaningful ways. By remaining flexible, forward-thinking, and responsive, we are able to deliver solutions that support long-term success in an ever-changing world.
Union Labor & Craftsmanship
We are committed not only to the quality of our work, but also to the strength and skill of our team. Through union labor and craftsmanship, we uphold high standards of professionalism, training, and accountability across every project we undertake. We believe investing in our people creates better outcomes for our partners and rewarding opportunities for individuals to grow, thrive, and take pride in their work.
Over 100 years of demonstrated excellence.
BendTec's history dates back to 1916 when Rubin Meierhoff started a company called Modern Plumbing & Heating Co. Prior to World War II, the business was primarily involved in the conversion of building heating systems from coal to oil. During World War II, Modern Plumbing & Heating Co. installed piping systems in many of the ships constructed in Duluth, Minnesota, for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard.
Mechanical Contracting
After World War II, the business expanded in the mechanical contracting field under the name Modern Constructors, which constructed piping for tank farms and oil terminals throughout the Midwest and installed refrigeration-piping systems in ice skating rinks across the United States. After the discovery of oil in Western Canada in 1946, a crude oil pipeline system was constructed to transport the oil to markets located in Eastern Canada. Modern Constructors installed piping in the pumping stations, tank farms, and terminals along the United States portion of the Interprovincial pipeline, beginning at the Canadian border and continuing through Northwestern Minnesota, crossing over to Detroit, Michigan, and then crossing back into Canada.
In 1967, the construction of a large natural gas pipeline system began to carry Canadian gas to markets located in Eastern Canada, once again traveling through the United States. The natural gas pipeline was constructed parallel to the crude oil pipeline system. Modern Constructors provided the construction services and built many of the compressor stations along the Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan portions of the pipeline. This pipeline system, known as the Great Lakes Gas Transmission Company, has undergone continuous growth, ultimately providing Modern Constructors with a market for its services.
Pipe Bending
In 1972, Pipe Benders, Inc. was formed to design and build two induction bending machines and market the bending service. In March of 1973, Pipe Benders, Inc. began operating its first induction-bending machine, which was capable of bending pipe up to 66 inches in diameter. In August of 1975, as the market grew, Pipe Benders, Inc. built and installed a second machine capable of bending pipe up to 27 inches in diameter. The Duluth, Minnesota-based pipe-bending operation provided bending services to nearly all pipe fabrication companies in North America and continued to grow during the 1970s. The company's bending capabilities led it into many new markets. One of these new areas was the design and fabrication of abrasion-resistant piping systems for the pneumatic conveying of pulverized coal in steam electric generating plants.
Pipe Bending and Fabrication
In 1986, Pipe Benders and Modern Constructors merged, creating a company focused on pipe bending and pipe fabrication services for the piping industry. At the time, pipeline construction activity across the region had slowed significantly, and the remaining projects were highly competitive. This shift allowed the company to concentrate on specialized fabrication capabilities and meet the evolving needs of industrial customers.
Advanced Manufacturing
In mid-1989, Pipe Benders and The Vectura Group formed BendTec and moved to a new plant facility that was more efficient and better suited to meet future needs. In 1991, Vectura changed directions, decided to concentrate its efforts on the maritime industry, and sold Connex to the Whessoe Group of Great Britain. In 1995, Bob Meierhoff and Tom Conrad, a Duluth banker, purchased Vectura's interest in BendTec. In November 2021, BendTec was purchased by United Weld Holdings. Since then, BendTec has expanded its services beyond pipe fabrication and highly specialized bending to offer an entire suite of services to support a greater number of projects.
