PLAINS, Penn. — Material handling supply company, Ted Thorsen, has reemerged in the supply chain industry with the launch of a new e-commerce store: https://www.TedThorsen.com.
Ted Thorsen was founded in 1953 and experienced many decades as a leading retailer of material handling supplies.
“Over the last decade, the Ted Thorsen brand has been in transition,” said Doug Hughes, sales manager for Ted Thorsen. “Our industry is changing rapidly, as have the industries of many of our customers. As manufacturing has shifted globally, it’s forced us to reevaluate both what and how we sell.”
Historically, Ted Thorsen’s product line focused largely on the garment and textile industries, with best-selling items including cloth unwinding racks, distribution totes, garment racks, rail systems, and other related goods. Their new site, however, includes a much broader selection of material handling products, including bulk containers, storage bins, lifts, jacks, packaging supplies, and more.
The new TedThorsen.com e-store features nearly 4,000 unique products. Hughes expects that number to double over the coming year, with new products being added almost daily. Ted Thorsen’s expanded inventory signals an evolution for the classic brand.
“We’ve spent the last few years rethinking how we could best meet the needs of our customers,” said Hughes. “The material handling industry has become much more diverse than in previous decades. Our customers want a single source for all their needs, and they expect a modern online shopping experience.”
Ted Thorsen is now in direct competition with a number of large online retailers, including Grainger, U-Line, and others. While many of their products are similar to those offered by their competitors, Ted Thorsen claims a few key distinctions.
“On the service side, we have experienced product experts — not call centers — working with our customers. None of us are new to this. We actually know these products and industries inside and out,” said Hughes. “On the product side, we offer responsible, reusable products. We try to avoid disposable paper, wood, and styrofoam products. What we carry is generally built to last and then recycle.”
Their local sales team has an average tenure with the company of more than a decade. According to the website, Ted Thorsen is proud to be an “American-owned, ‘Rust Belt’ operated, family business.” Ted Thorsen is based in Plains, Penn., and has an additional sales office in St. Petersburg, Fla. Their distribution centers are located throughout the United States.