Equibrand to Build in Stephenville

The Chamber is excited to share the news that Equibrand will be constructing a new 98,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Stephenville, adding over 50 full-time jobs to our community!

After the rope manufacturing plant in Granbury was destroyed by a fire last November, representatives from the Stephenville Chamber of Commerce, STEDCO and SEDA all reached out to Equibrand owners immediately to encourage them to consider relocating the new facility to Stephenville.
 
July Danley, Chamber President/CEO expressed her excitement, "After months of concerted collaboration, we are very excited to welcome Equibrand and their production of the popular Classic Rope and Rattler Rope brands to the Cowboy Capital of the World! Chamber, City, County, SEDA, and STEDCO representatives have all been working diligently behind the scenes to coordinate details, make connections, and provide the answers and resources Equibrand officials needed to make their decision. The Chamber will be coordinating with all parties to have a ground breaking ceremony very soon to celebrate our new neighbors!"

The cost of the new facility is estimated to be over $4 million, plus an investment in new equipment in excess of $1.5 million, and the purchase of roughly $1.2 million in inventory. Annual payroll is expected to be about $1.8 million for the 50-55 full-time employees at the Stephenville location. In a show of support for this significant investment, Erath County commissioners approved a tax abatement incentive for Equibrand.

Commissioner Joe Brown shared, "After the fire which caused a halt in rope production, Equibrand has continued to pay 100% of their normal wages to all employees - this is a testament to how much the company values their employees. We look forward to having a company with their character and integrity invest in the county and believe this will be a great long-term partnership."
 
Due to the number of jobs being created and millions of dollars in capital investment, the Stephenville Economic Development Foundation (STEDCO) approved a $25,000 grant to Equibrand to help finalize their decision to build in Stephenville. The STEDCO grant funds will be used for expenses related to local contractors.
 
According to STEDCO President Wendell Hollingsworth, "This was truly an all-around team effort from the City, County, Chamber, SEDA and STEDCO. I can't say enough about everybody pulling together to provide the resources and information Equibrand needed to decide that Stephenville was where they needed to be. I want people to recognize that all the groups are working together for the betterment of Stephenville - that's the thing I am most proud of. After all my interactions with Equibrand representatives, I fully believe they are the kind of people we want in our community."

The new facility will be located just outside the city limits, on 22 acres of land directly behind the Unites States Team Roping Championships (USTRC) headquarters on County Road 437 (known by some as Stone Cut Off Road) off Hwy 377 North.

Equibrand's CEO Ken Bray stated, "We greatly appreciate everyone within Stephenville and Erath County for all they did to facilitate and help us make the move. More than anything, the entire group made us feel welcome. We look forward to bringing this part of our business to Stephenville and being even more involved in the community."

Through product innovation, consistency of quality, expertise in the industry and a focus on customer service, Equibrand maintains a dominant share, estimated at 70%, of the lariat rope market.
 
“Of all the companies or businesses that we could bring to Stephenville, we couldn’t find a better fit than this rope manufacturer for the Cowboy Capital of the World. All entities working together has been a pleasure and we look forward to many more opportunities to help Stephenville grow," stated Matt Harpole, SEDA Board President.

Mayor Kenny Weldon added, "This is a significant and positive decision for our community, a true win-win.  We couldn’t ask for a better partner than the great folks at Equibrand and Stephenville offers a great home to a leader in the performance horse industry.  It is has been a pleasure to witness the leadership, cooperation, innovation, and teamwork by the Chamber, County, City, SEDA, and STEDCO-- you’ve made Stephenville and Erath County proud!"

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ABOUT EQUIBRAND PRODUCTS GROUP (http://www.equibrand.com)
 
In 1986 in Granbury, Texas, Classic Rope started as one of the first companies to devise and perfect machine manufacturing of the lariat rope. Countless hours were spent formulating rope components that could withstand all types of roping conditions, both indoor and outdoor. Initially founded for the sole purpose of supporting the event of team roping, Classic was able to offer a consistent structure and sensitive feel in their ropes like no others on the market. Because of its quality and appeal, Classic Rope quickly became the leading rope manufacturer that professionals grew to depend on, and still use and trust today.
 
As Classic Rope surpassed its own horizon, new innovations unfolded and the next generation of companies developed. In 1995, Classic Equine began by specializing in high quality saddle pads and quickly expanded with more product lines offering the same attention to quality and durability. The current product offering now includes protective boots, cinches, bits, spurs, winter blankets and sheets, and accessories. Classic Equine has always worked closely with professional men and women from all disciplines of the western industry to test and perfect each product during development. Because the company was founded and developed by professionals, the form and function of each product serves a specific purpose. The driving purpose of Classic Equine has always been to offer the highest quality products available, keeping the performance horse’s safety and well-being first and foremost in mind.
 
In 1996, with the joining of Classic Rope and Classic Equine, Equibrand was created to encompass all the brands dedicated to the performance horse industry.
 
Rattler Rope, a diverse and innovative rope company that had established itself as a leader in the calf roping world, as well as with team ropers, moved to Texas and joined the Equibrand group in 1997. With the integration of Rattler Rope, Classic Rope and Rattler Rope became the only two rope companies that manufactured their own string which every rope was built upon. Through this one-of-a-kind in-house process, quality and precise formulations of fibers are designed from scratch which gives the ropes those industry-renounced “feel” characteristics. Today, we are still the only company that manufactures string from a raw material, the very building blocks on which all ropes are made.
 
In 1998, Dale Martin Saddlery also came on board to provide high quality hand-crafted saddles and leather tack. Now known simply as Martin Saddlery, the company prides itself on the intricate detail and craftsmanship employed to create beautiful, durable products. The leather goods produced by Martin Saddlery utilize the finest raw materials, ensuring endurance and dependability without sacrificing fashion or tradition. Martin Saddlery has made great strides in the science of saddle fit and tree design. In 2003, in an effort to build a better-fitting saddle that would accommodate more of today’s equine athletes, Martin Saddlery began building and designing trees that truly made a difference in the performance and longevity of the horse. Today, Martin Saddlery is known for working with trusted, respected professionals and trainers to help make a difference in their horses. Along with providing a better fitting tree, Martin is also dedicated to educate all the horse owners on how to recognize the effects of an ill-fitting saddle and how to properly fit a saddle.
 
It is Equibrand’s goal to support every individual who strives to be the best at what they do with a horse. Members of the horse world share an unspoken bond. They come from different backgrounds and different places, but the one thing they share in common is the love of their horses and the satisfaction of getting to the pay window. Equibrand vows to stay novel and always progressive, striving to constantly improve the products we offer, always working to help you accomplish your goals.