Finding Your Niche In the Bay of Quinte: The Rope Store’s Story
September 11, 2024
The Rope Store sells a niche product, (you probably already guessed it): rope. Specifically, marine rope for boaters and sailors, but this niche product hasn’t stopped the expansion and success of The Rope Store since its launch in 2008. In fact, the company has thrived, led by founder Norm Grant, from its inception.
In the Bay of Quinte and Around the World
Grant launched The Rope Store as an online store in 2008. He saw a hole in the rope market and filled it by selling dockline in 18 colours and rigging rope in 9 different colours. By comparison, their competitors still make rope in only around 4 or 5 different colours. The Rope Store makes rope for the pleasure boaters of the world, receiving orders locally and across North America; and, around the globe. “We had no idea where our next order would come from,” says Grant. The Rope Store has fulfilled orders from places like, Switzerland, China, England, the Caribbean, South America, Australia, and New Zealand.
Roping In the Bay of Quinte’s Best Assets
The Bay of Quinte is well-known as a manufacturing hub. Grant took great advantage of this when he turned the business from solely a rope store to a rope store and manufacturer. With Grant’s previous experience in rope manufacturing, he knew manufacturing his products himself and selling direct to boaters would be most beneficial for his store and for the consumer, decreasing the cost of the product at the point of sale. The Rope Store’s location in the Bay of Quinte, made this decision an easy one. The region has the space and sites Grant needed to better serve his customers.
High Tides Raise All Ships
At first, Grant did not have a brick and mortar store, but eventually the company’s success convinced him of the need for one. Despite continuing to only sell their niche product, The Rope Store’s retail space continued to grow the business. Grant wasn’t only stocking The Rope Store products, either. He supported other rope businesses, stocking their surplus in the store. This kind of community support is common in the Bay of Quinte region where many manufacturers and business owners share the belief that high tides raise all ships.
What’s On the Horizon?
Three years ago, CMP Group, a global leader in marine products, acquired The Rope Store. CMP Group has acquired many other well-known marine companies, including Rocna Anchors and Dock Edge. Upon purchase, CMP Group converted the retail space to a surplus store, including other CMP products.
Grant is staying on to guide the rope manufacturing operation and owns the building CMP Group and other businesses operate from. He trains his replacement, who will be taking over in September 2024. CMP Group’s planned growth in the Bay of Quinte will include more new hires, as well. CMP Group has hired a manager for the surplus store, and in the next few months, new hires will join the team to run manufacturing operations.
CMP Group’s reputation in the industry combined with the Bay of Quinte’s highly skilled workforce will ensure steady growth for The Rope Store and businesses like it.
Learn more about The Rope Store and how QEDC helps manufacturers and businesses in the Bay of Quinte. QEDC supports entrepreneurs, businesses, and the local workforce.
