Farewell toTed Bauer,  a pioneer in Mdf industry

A graduate of Iowa State University, Ted become well known in the Usa, Europe and Australasia as the driving force behind the growth of Mdf and of the Medite Mdf brand.

Bauer pioneered the Mdf revolution in Western Europe. Most notably in 1978 when he held the Fidor Conference in Eastbourne spellbound. Following his presentation, the conference agenda was abandoned when the delegates asked to have an open forum and learn more from him about this remarkable new product. It marked the turning point for Mdf as this was when the enormous market potential for Mdf in Europe was recognised.

In 1981 Bauer was instrumental in the decision by the Oregon-based Medford Corporation to invest US$50 million and build a second Medite plant in Clonmel, Ireland. He named it the ‘Shamrock Caper’. Irish-made Medite was first produced in 1983.

Over the years, Ted Bauer  travelled extensively in Europe meeting Medite’s network of distributors and industrial users, whilst liaising closely initially with the sales agent Seaboard in Vancouver, London and Utrecht and then with Medite’s in-house European sales and marketing team when it was set up in 1986. Highly respected wherever he went, his unique knowledge, sense of humour and ability to talk and discuss issues with all levels of management became legendary.

In 1987 Ted Bauer was appointed Vice President of Medite Corporation and in 1989 he became President and Chief Executive Officer.

He retired from Medite Corporation in December 1993. However, he continued his strong interest in Medite’s European business and in 2006 was a contributor to the first Medite 2016 Compendium produced, which marked Medite’s 30 years of Mdf supply to the European market and also Ted Bauer’s first foray into the European Mdf marketplace.

Ted is survived by his wife Jan, to whom he was married for 51 years, and by their six children and their families.

Picture: Ted Bauer celebrating the sales of 6,000,000 m3 of Clonmel-produced Medite in 2008.