Meet the Businesses Driving Bend’s Momentum on an Exclusive Tour - Made in Bend

(Photos courtesy of EDCO)

Ready to see what’s fueling Bend’s momentum from the inside out?

Join Made in Bend on Thursday, May 14, for a one-of-a-kind bus tour that begins with breakfast and leads you straight into the heart of four innovative local companies. You will get an upclose look at how these businesses operate, from production and supply chains to hiring and expansion, while hearing directly from the leaders behind it all.

Red Plate Foods

Red Plate Foods is a woman-owned company founded in 2013 that produces delicious, safe and inclusive baked goods. They create vegan, non-GMO and top-9 allergen-free products — free from gluten, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, egg, fish, shellfish, and sesame — in a dedicated facility. Their products include cookies, muffins and granola, commonly found in grocery store bakery sections.

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Breedlove Guitars

Breedlove Guitars, founded in 1990, is a premium American guitar maker known for innovative design, sustainable wood sourcing and player-focused craftsmanship. Acquired by Tom Bedell in 2010, the company advanced environmental initiatives and tonal refinement. Now led by Shannon Pollard and Pete Mroz, Breedlove continues building high-quality instruments that blend tradition, precision and forward-thinking innovation.

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HeliLadder

HeliLadder was founded in 2014 by Dale and Susie Neubauer. Inspired by Dale’s aviation career, they developed a ladder designed to conform to helicopter fuselages, improving access for maintenance. What began as a 12-unit garage project has grown into an industry standard, with over 4,000 units in use across the U.S. and internationally. The company’s success also reflects strong support from local partners who helped bring the idea to life.

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BlackStrap

BlackStrap fuels outdoor adventures with innovative layering gear that’s built to perform and designed to play. Founded in 2008, it’s grown from a grassroots headwear company into a four-season performance layering brand designed for movement across all seasons and environments. BlackStrap is built on playful performance, technical innovation and a deep connection to mountain culture, creating versatile apparel and accessories that support a life lived outdoors — from snow to trail, water to dirt and everywhere in between.