Riverdale Mills—American Manufacturing, Engineered to Endure
The story of Riverdale Mills Corporation is a classic American tale of hard work, ingenuity, and entrepreneurship.
Founded in 1980 in a restored mill on the banks of the Blackstone River in Northbridge, Massachusetts, Riverdale began as a single-product startup. Today, it has grown into a global leader in welded wire mesh, offering over 3,500 product configurations for industries worldwide.
What began as an inventor’s bold idea quickly grew into a product that would change the lobster and wire mesh industries forever.
Jim Knott, Sr.–A Heritage of Practical Innovation
Riverdale’s origin traces to the pioneering work of our founder, James “Jim” Knott, Sr., who advanced the use of galvanized steel wire mesh by protecting it with a durable, marine-grade polymer coating.
For centuries, lobstermen along New England’s rugged coast hauled wooden traps from the sea. Heavy, short-lived, and prone to breaking apart in storms, these traps had changed little since colonial times.
An engineer and part-time commercial lobsterman, Knott applied his technical expertise and hands-on experience to create Aquamesh®, the world’s first welded wire mesh engineered specifically for marine trap applications. His innovation convinced professional fishermen to adopt lighter, stronger, longer-lasting gear for the harsh North Atlantic.
What began as an inventor’s bold idea soon transformed an entire industry. Today, more than 60% of all lobster traps in North America are made with Aquamesh.
Jim Knott, Jr.–Building on the Legacy
Under the leadership of James “Jim” Knott, Jr., Chief Executive Officer, Riverdale has expanded from a single flagship product into a diversified portfolio of welded wire mesh solutions. Jim guided Riverdale’s operations through its most critical growth years, refining production processes and solving technical challenges that ensured Aquamesh could be produced at scale. Today, over 60% of lobster traps in North America are built with Aquamesh.
Jim also expanded the company’s product offerings to support critical infrastructure and industrial projects worldwide for the agriculture, construction, and security sectors.
Under his leadership, Riverdale Mills has received numerous business and industry awards that recognize the company as a pillar of innovation and manufacturing champion.
Enduring Principles
Knott Sr.’s legacy and values live on both in product and principle: engineer for the real world, manufacture with discipline, and support customers with accountability. We remain committed to product performance, responsibility, and long-term relationships with the communities and industries we serve.