History of InCord
The Rich History and Evolution of InCord:
From Cordage Heritage to a Visionary Enterprise
InCord’s industrial heritage is traced to the two-hundred-year-old netting and cordage industry that once served the fishing and shipping interests along the Connecticut River. The consolidation and transformation of these traditional manufactures and their generational knowledge became the roots of what is today InCord.
Origins
InCord's origins can be traced back to the venerable netting and cordage industry that thrived along the banks of the Connecticut River, serving the fishing and shipping interests for over two centuries. The consolidation and transformation of these traditional manufacturers and their invaluable generational knowledge laid the foundation for what would eventually become InCord as we know it today.
Merle Kingham
The story begins with Merle Kingham, who embarked on his journey in the rope industry back in 1960, working at a rope manufacturing plant. By the mid-1980s, International Cordage, a company founded by Merle, had grown into a significant rope distributor and manufacturer of specialized rope items, from cargo tie downs to towing bridles. In a pivotal moment in 1982, International Cordage's expertise led them to win a prestigious contest held by the US Navy, designing the new safety nets for the flight decks of frigates.
Humble Beginnings
Enter Bob and Mary, who, from their humble home, began acting as brokers for Merle and International Cordage East. Products were drop-shipped from Arizona through International Cordage. The association soon became more than just business, as Bob, Mary, and Merle unofficially joined forces under the umbrella of International Cordage East. With the addition of Brian Stevenson, current VP of Sales for InCrd's Material Handling Division, as the industrial sales representative, and later Ed Ritz, a former colleague of Stevenson's who sought to join the new enterprise, the five key players formed a dynamic team.
Ed Ritz Brings Fresh Perspective
Ed Ritz brought a fresh vision and drive, mainly when producing netting products at the Connecticut facility. Their base of operations shifted from Tylerville to East Haddam, where they hired Tess Jette as Production Manager. Tess quickly rose through the ranks, becoming Operations Manager and later Chief Operating Officer, working closely with Ed Ritz to establish a ten-thousand-square-foot warehouse and factory.
Forming a Partnership with HUCK
In a significant development in 1997, InCord joined forces with the Huck Group, a renowned safety-netting manufacturer in the European Union, becoming the sole North American Affiliate. The journey continued with InCord's expansion, which led to the acquisition of Merle Kingham's interest in the company, resulting in a name change to InCord in 2004. The company experienced significant growth, with notable employee hires, particularly in 2004.
Expansion and Evolution
In 2006, InCord took a substantial step forward by acquiring a state-of-the-art 25,000-square-foot factory with additional warehousing in Colchester.
InCord's Focus on Sustainability
In the spring of 2013, InCord transformed its energy approach by generating sustainable electric power independently. They accomplished this by installing 504 Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels on their facility's roof in just three months. Once activated, this PV solar electric system fulfilled 90% of the company's annual energy needs and covered 100% of its electric consumption.
Meredith Shay Begins Her Tenure as InCord CEO
The leadership transition continued, as in 2018, a young and driven Meredith Shay was appointed as the CEO, making her one of the nation's youngest female CEOs for a leading manufacturer, overseeing a workforce of over 100 employees.
NetPlay USA Takes Shape
Also in 2018, InCord formed NetPlay USA LLC™ Play Systems, as a joint venture with HUCK Seiltechnik Germany to design, market and distribute play equipment within the Americas. These exciting, new play systems gave us the opportunity to provide safe, innovative structures for parks and play areas across the country.
InCord Expands Its Offerings
East Coast Lifting Products was acquired by InCord in August of 2019. ECLP now operates as a product line brand of InCord. The ECLP brand consists of custom, and industry standard web and round slings used in construction industry for controlled lifting and positioning.
New Warehouse Adds Much Needed Inventory Space
The new Colchester campus warehouse build consolidates off-campus inventory for improved logistics and expansion. The facility includes product inventory, shipping, and administrative activities.
InCord Offers On-Site Testing
Directly adjacent to our newest warehouse, InCord has built our very own on-site test frame. The rigid beam test frame, 24 x 18 feet, is designed for large scale dynamic drop testing and static testing of safety net materials and products. The test frame is one of only three in New England built for the purpose of testing safety nets to ANSI A10.11 Standards.
Expanding our Capabilities
In 2023, we opened our metal fabrication shop at our Colchester production facility. A range of industrial-grade machinery allows us to produce many necessary components that previously required outsourcing.
Looking to the Future
InCord is currently in process of creating a new, cutting edge facility to bring our operations together and provide growth opportunities for our employees and customers. In 2023, ground was broken on this new facility and we can't wait to see what's next!
A NEW APPROACH TO DOING BUSINESS
InCord's Innovative Philosophies Foster Innovation
At the heart of InCord's success are the 'Pillars', guiding principles that shape the company's culture and approach to work. Emphasizing servant leadership, embracing change, and providing a nurturing, sensory-rich environment are just a few of these tenets. InCord believes that mistakes are opportunities for growth and that work is both a privilege and a gift of creation. Love for the workers and the workplace is as crucial as love for the work itself. The company's commitment to being personal and present, fostering community, and celebrating together contributes to the transformation of InCord into an innovative and caring enterprise.
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