Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => NATURAL & ORGANIC BEEKEEPING METHODS => Topic started by: lisnnbeerawhoney on March 17, 2012, 11:16:49 am

Title: where does big bee companys get there foundation from?
Post by: lisnnbeerawhoney on March 17, 2012, 11:16:49 am
 :devilbanana: always wonder where does big honey bee company's get there foundation from.  like dadant? anybody have any ideas? thanks best reach me on my email ,petestreeservice@gmail.com  thanks for looking Peter
Title: Re: where does big bee companys get there foundation from?
Post by: beyondthesidewalks on March 17, 2012, 04:44:04 pm
I've been to the Dadant facility in Hamilton, IL and the stench of molten wax was overpowering there.  So strong it made me nauseous.  I'm pretty sure they make foundation there.  Years ago I had a stockpile of wax and sold them some.  I know they'll do the trade your wax for a lower price on foundation exchange.
Title: Re: where does big bee companys get there foundation from?
Post by: Jim134 on March 17, 2012, 07:45:53 pm
The only 2 companys I know that make wax foundation are Dadant and Walter T. Kelley.

 Now on plastic foundation I do not know ???


    BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)
Title: Re: where does big bee companys get there foundation from?
Post by: Billybee on May 21, 2012, 09:08:39 pm
They get it from giant forests of foundation trees :evil:
Title: Re: where does big bee companys get there foundation from?
Post by: AllenF on May 21, 2012, 10:41:28 pm
But only the mature trees produce foundation fruit.   

And I am pretty sure most all the big bee supply houses make their own foundation.    It is not rocket science.   And you can buy foundation mills if you want to do it your self. 
Title: Re: where does big bee companys get there foundation from?
Post by: Michael Bush on May 21, 2012, 11:38:06 pm
The first to sell foundation was A.I. Root (who no longer sells it)  As Jim said, I think the majority comes from Kelley and Dadant.  I have seen some odd sized wax out there and wonder if there isn't at least one other company making it, but I'm not sure.  I know most of the other companies buy it from Dadant.  Kelley makes their own and will work your wax if you make arrangements.  At least they used to.  I haven't looked lately to see if that is still true.
Title: Re: where does big bee companys get there foundation from?
Post by: Jim134 on May 22, 2012, 04:44:57 pm
The first to sell foundation was A.I. Root (who no longer sells it)  As Jim said, I think the majority comes from Kelley and Dadant.  I have seen some odd sized wax out there and wonder if there isn't at least one other company making it, but I'm not sure.  I know most of the other companies buy it from Dadant.  Kelley makes their own and will work your wax if you make arrangements.  At least they used to.  I haven't looked lately to see if that is still true.


The first foundation I use in 1957 A.I. Root




     BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)
Title: Re: where does big bee companys get there foundation from?
Post by: rwurster on August 23, 2012, 04:30:57 am
Another beekeeper in my area gave me a box of Dadant foundation that was made in 1953.  Bees drew it out like it was made yesterday.  There was also an advertisement in it for a subscription to the American Bee Journal, 12 big issues plus 5 book bonus for $2.00.
Title: Re: where does big bee companys get there foundation from?
Post by: JPBEEGETTER on September 16, 2012, 06:32:57 pm
Go to the Fatbeeman 's site he will show you how to make it . He makes all his own.
Title: Re: where does big bee companys get there foundation from?
Post by: BjornBee on September 18, 2012, 11:17:49 am
This was the same type conversation not that many years ago in regards to pollen. Pollen supplement was many times made with real pollen, yet nobody seemed to know where the pollen was coming from. It was divulged after some internet chatter and a few arm twists, that pollen was indeed coming from China. And although it was a long story with many twists, I for one tested this foreign pollen and found among other things, high levels of fluvalinate and DDT.

So what about wax foundation? Where does all the wax come from? We might know who produces it, but where does the raw product come from? Do they market or clearly state where it comes from?

We have a plastic knockoff copy of peirco being sold by some vendors with it being made in China. And pollen, royal jelly, and about most bee equipment being supplied by China. I know I am contacted almost weekly by foreign companies wanted me to sell their stuff.

Perhaps like the pollen issues from a few years back, we would better off knowing where the wax comes from, and care a bit less on who manufacturers it.

Just something to think about.
Title: Re: where does big bee companys get there foundation from?
Post by: Jim134 on September 18, 2012, 04:40:25 pm
This was the same type conversation not that many years ago in regards to pollen. Pollen supplement was many times made with real pollen, yet nobody seemed to know where the pollen was coming from. It was divulged after some internet chatter and a few arm twists, that pollen was indeed coming from China. And alsthough it was a long stiory with many twists, I for one tested this foreign pollen and found among other things, high levels of fluvalinate and DDT.

So what about wax foundation? Where does all the wax come from? We might know who produces it, but where does the raw product come from? Do they market or clearly state where it comes from?

We have a plastic knockoff copy of peirco being sold by some vendors with it being made in China. And pollen, royal jelly, and about most bee equipment being supplied by China. I know I am contacted almost weekly by foreign companies wanted me to sell there stuff.

Perhaps like the pollen issues from a few years back, we would better off knowing where the wax comes from, and care a bit less on who manufacturers it.  
Just something to think about.


   X:X X:X X:X X:X



          BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)
Title: Re: where does big bee companys get there foundation from?
Post by: T Beek on November 15, 2012, 09:47:51 am
Well, perhaps the producers should be telling beeks where their wax is coming from.  After all, only they know.  

And whether this wax is even being inspected before re-sale for anything, or maybe it just doesn't matter to the producers.  

They've all been pretty quiet on this subject as far as I can tell.

Its one of those 'right to know' dilemma's that will always plague 'some' consumers I'm afraid.

These are the questions that convinced me to go 'foundationless' in the first place.
Title: Re: where does big bee companys get there foundation from?
Post by: Michael Bush on November 29, 2012, 02:41:17 pm
>Well, perhaps the producers should be telling beeks where their wax is coming from.  After all, only they know.

It comes from beekeepers in the US.
Title: Re: where does big bee companys get there foundation from?
Post by: T Beek on November 29, 2012, 05:09:42 pm
That doesn't make me feel any better  ;)
Title: Re: where does big bee companys get there foundation from?
Post by: pawallinsr on November 29, 2012, 10:32:04 pm
If 70% of honey is imported, I bet the wax is too! :-\
Title: Re: where does big bee companys get there foundation from?
Post by: T Beek on November 30, 2012, 06:06:30 am
Yep, I'm sticking w/ no foundation.  Who needs the added stress?  Not me or my bees.
Title: Re: where does big bee companys get there foundation from?
Post by: 10framer on January 25, 2013, 09:02:49 pm
we used to melt all our cappings into big blocks of wax and trade it to dadant for merchandise.  back then there were a lot of large scale commercial beekeepers and i don't think that's true anymore so i would bet at least a portion is imported.
Title: Re: where does big bee companys get there foundation from?
Post by: jayj200 on May 28, 2014, 08:45:40 am
It comes from UPS