By Terry Walker, CEO of Pelican Rope Works® & U.S. Rigging Supply®

As I sit back and reflect on the 50-year legacy of our two companies, I’m filled with a deep sense of pride and gratitude. Pelican Rope Works and U.S. Rigging Supply began as a small family venture with a growing mission. Over the decades, this mission has become clearer and more focused: Making Difficult and Dangerous Work Easier and Safer. Today, as we celebrate our golden anniversary, I am reminded of the journey that brought us here, and the unwavering values that have guided us every step of the way.

When Gayl Whipple started U.S. Rigging Supply half a century ago, it wasn’t just about creating high-performance ropes, safety, and rigging supplies. It was about filling a critical need—providing tools that would protect the lives of those who rely on them every day.

After the founding of U.S. Rigging Supply, Gayl acquired his supplier, a California rope company, from its founders so they could move to Northern Washington and launch Puget Sound Rope (now Cortland Cordage). Gayl renamed the rope company Pelican Rope Works and became part of our mission.

From the very beginning, our goal was simple: to ensure that every person using our products could return home safely at the end of the day. Over time, our mission sharpened, and we realized that the true purpose of Pelican Rope Works and U.S. Rigging Supply had to be centered around safety and quality. Our products aren’t just tools; they are lifelines, often in the most literal sense.

Every year over 2.8 million people are injured on the job, over 7,500 per day, every day 15 of them never make it home. Working together, we can change those statistics, this is why we exist.

As a family-owned business, we’ve always operated with a sense of responsibility—not just to our customers, but to our employees and partners as well. Integrity, Teamwork, and a passion for excellence, are more than just words to us; they are the principles that guide our decisions and shape our actions. This has earned us a reputation as a trusted, reliable partner in numerous industries, from climbing and industrial lifting to marine and fire rescue operations.

Our success over the past 50 years isn’t just about the products we make; it’s about the people who stand behind them. I’ve been blessed to work alongside an incredible team that shares my passion for excellence and safety. Every innovation we’ve introduced, every product line we’ve expanded, has been a collective effort, driven by our commitment to making a difference.

As we celebrate this milestone, I’m reminded of the importance of role each of plays in our mission lives saved, injuries prevented, and jobs made easier. These are the moments that define our legacy and motivate us to keep pushing forward.

Looking ahead, our mission remains unchanged. We will continue to innovate, to challenge ourselves, and to provide the best possible solutions for our customers. But no matter how much we grow, the heart of our company will always be the same: a family business, dedicated to Making Difficult and Dangerous Work Easier and Safer.

Thank you for being a part of our journey. Here’s to many more years of innovation, safety, and success.

“Our journey over the past 50 years has been driven by a simple yet powerful mission: Making Difficult and Dangerous Work Easier and Safer. This anniversary is a testament to our incredible customers and dedicated team who share our passion for excellence and safety.” - Terry Walker

As we look forward to the future, I invite you to continue this journey with us. Together, we will keep setting the standard for safety and quality in every industry we serve, and make sure every person makes it home from work every day.

Thank you for your trust, your partnership, and your belief in what we do.

Terry Walker CEO Pelican Rope Works® & U.S. Rigging Supply®