BTD's history is filled with exceptional people, continuous growth and ongoing innovation.

Proud of our Past. Excited about our Future.

May 15, 1979

Erling Rasmussen and Paul White, Jr. establish Bismarck Tool and Die Co. (BTD) in Bismarck, ND, as a job shop to design and manufacture dies, fixtures and special machines.

1980

In need of additional space, the company moves to Detroit Lakes, MN to better serve established customers in west-central Minnesota and eastern North Dakota.

1981

A wire EDM machine is purchased. The machine transforms the quality and lead times for tool construction.

1984

The company experiences a 350% growth in sales since 1981. Requiring a larger facility, BTD moves to its present location and purchases its first punch press.

1986

Company principals form a new business, MN-Kota Stamping, Inc. to accommodate the metal stamping needs of existing tool and die customers.

1991

Bismarck Tool and Die Co. merges with MN-Kota Stamping, Inc. to become BTD Manufacturing, Inc.

1992

BTD purchases a turret punch press to provide customers with short-run and prototype parts.

1994

The company has grown to 80 full-time employees and an 80,000-square foot building.

1995

Otter Tail Corporation in Fergus Falls, MN purchases BTD Manufacturing. That same year, BTD adds an additional 30,000-square foot warehouse.

1996

BTD makes a major investment in technology with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software package which allows the company to offer many value-added services to customers.

1998

BTD, committed to improving its quality program, becomes ISO 9001 certified.

1999

The company's sales revenue has grown to $29 million annually. BTD co-founder Paul White retires; Erling Rasmussen stays on as CEO.

1999-2000

Still growing, BTD purchases a ten-acre site across the street and builds a climate-controlled 46,000-square foot warehouse.

2002

With a 66,000-square foot addition to the warehouse, the Detroit Lakes plant is divided into hard-tool and soft-tool operations. A large press room is constructed and an 800-ton press is added. The company also merges with Precision Machine of West Fargo, ND and Pelican Rapids, MN in a strategic move to position BTD as a manufacturer of complete assemblies.

2003

To improve its distribution network, BTD opens a 30,000 square-foot Twin Cities distribution center in Farmington, MN.

2004

BTD greatly expands its tubing capabilities with the purchase of a five axis tube laser and Dynamic 4 and 8 benders from ADIGE.

The company's sales revenue has grown to $68 million annually. BTD co-founder Erling Rasmussen retires; Paul Gintner, a 20-year BTD employee, is appointed CEO.

2005

BTD announces the acquisition of Performance Tool & Die of Lakeville, MN. Performance Tool and Die specializes in mid-to-large progressive dies for customers across the United States.

BTD relocates its Twin Cities distribution center to a 46,000 square-foot facility in Lakeville, MN to add storage and better serve customers.

BTD collaborates with Minnesota State Community and Technical College of Detroit Lakes to open the BTD School of Tool & Die and Machining, a one-year course focusing on tool and die building and machining. The school is designed to ensure a skilled labor force while providing income and learning opportunities for students.