DSM Group rope, twine loadstrap specialists

dsm group was started in 1982 and began distributing fibre ropes throughout the UK from Mirfield, West Yorkshire where the company's head quarters remain today.

After establishing relationships with large high quality manufacturers in Europe dsm soon gained a reputation for good quality ropes. Many of the relationships with these same suppliers still continue today keeping our products very consistent.

A family business dsm continued to expand throughout the 1980’s adding to existing products year after year. During the 1990s founder David Saddington was joined in the business by two sons Nigel and Paul all three still run the company today with the help of many experienced members of staff. During the

1990’s expansion continued, with the opening of factories in the midlands, producing loadstraps and shockcord products and Covertec in Ipswich, producing bespoke canvas products.

Early in 2002 saw the birth of Kingfisher Yacht ropes, dsm brought this new own brand to the market place with great success so much so that after only 8 years Kingfisher is one of the most recognisable names for rope in the UK leisure marine market. Service is the key in the dsm success story and we promise to keep the same levels of service to all customers in the future.

Rope History

The known history of ropes dates back to prehistoric times although these "ropes" where more likely vines or plant fibres.

The twisting and braiding of these natural fibres is thought to have begun soon after this. Evidence of rope making technology in Europe dates back 28,000years with impressions of cordage on fired clay.

The ancient Egyptians developed tools to make ropes these ropes where made from water reeds. These ropes where used to move heavy stones needed to make great Egyptian monuments. In the middle ages across Europe ropes where constructed in rope walks, these long buildings determined how long the

finished rope would become the longer the building the longer the piece of rope could be made. Late in the 18th century the first rope making machines where built and patented although Leonardo da Vinci much earlier drew sketches of a concept for a rope making machine, however as with many of his inventions this was never made.

Up until the 1950’s, ropes where all natural fibre from products such as sisal and manila. Since the introduction of synthetic fibres such as Polypropylene and Polyester the natural fibre ropes have reduced in numbers however despite the dominance of the synthetic fibres the natural ropes are still produced today.

Now ropes are twisted and braided on very modern efficient machines from many types of fibres seemingly getting stronger and stronger every year, although there are still some rope manufactures in the world using traditional ropewalks.

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