Riverdale Mills was founded in 1980, when manufacturing in the U.S. had yet to recover from two recessions, and many doubted the future of the industry. The Knott family believed otherwise. They transformed the lobster fishing industry with the invention of Aquamesh®, a first-of-its-kind, marine wire mesh designed to withstand the harsh ocean environment.
Michael Kenneally has been a fisherman for over 35 years. Along with his son Michael Jr. and crewman David Heffernan, he had always fished with nets off the coast of County Cork. That is until the seals found their way into the fishing grounds. For the past three years the folks at Riverdale Mills Corporation, manufacturers of Aquamesh®, have worked closely with Michael Sr. as he transitioned from fishing with nets to lobster pots made exclusively with Aquamesh. Kenneally and Riverdale Mills CEO James Knott, Jr. met up again at this month’s Skipper Show.
Michael Kenneally has been a fisherman for over 35 years. Along with his son Michael Jr, and crewman David Heffernan, he had always fished with nets off the coast of Co Cork. That is until the seals found their way into the fishing grounds. For the past three years, staff at Riverdale Mills Corporation, manufacturers of Aquamesh, have worked closely with Michael Sr as he transitioned from fishing with nets, to lobster pots made exclusively with Aquamesh.
Sometimes all it takes is the introduction of one new element to shift the tide of an entire industry. Riverdale Mills (Northbridge, MA USA) revolutionized the lobster fishing industry over 35 years ago when the company created Aquamesh®, a first of its kind marine-grade welded wire mesh fabric designed specifically to create a more sturdy, weather and corrosion resistant lobster pot.
The Skipper
Riverdale Mills Showcased at Irish Expo
This year’s Skipper Expo Int. Galway 2013 in Ireland has been hailed an outstanding success with a record number of exhibitors and excellent visitor attendance.
The expo, which was held on 1st and 2nd March, attracted 117 exhibitors – an increase of 25 compared with the previous year. The stands and displays proved a major pull for visitors with an estimated 4,000 people attending over the two days. Sharon Boyle of show organiser Mara Media said: “This was a truly incredible show and as well as the excellent turnout from visitors from fishing ports throughout Ireland, we were particularly pleased at the number of people from Scotland and other parts of the UK.”