Fjord, Inc. Honored with 2025 NCMEP Innovation Award
At Fjord, Inc., innovation isn’t just a value—it’s a tradition. We are proud to announce that we have been named the recipient of the 2025 Innovation in Manufacturing Leadership Award by the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP).
This prestigious recognition celebrates manufacturers who push boundaries, drive forward-thinking solutions, and achieve measurable results through innovation. For us, this award reflects over five decades of dedication to advancing rope protection systems for maritime, industrial, and rescue professionals around the globe.
A Legacy of Purpose-Driven Innovation
Our journey began in 1967, when Capt. Edward Ratigan, PhD, and Gail Ratigan founded Fjord Nautical Instruments. What started with the development of a compact, analog range-finding calculator designed for navigation in Southeast Asia quickly evolved into something much bigger.
From those early days, Fjord has never stopped inventing. In 1991, we introduced the Chafe-Pro system—now the trusted anti-chafe solution for over 95% of the U.S. Coast Guard and more than 70% of the U.S. Navy. Our patented hook-and-loop wrap-around design remains unmatched in durability and performance.
But we didn’t stop there. Through our STREP line and additional product innovations, we’ve continued to meet the complex needs of rope access and rescue professionals, commercial marine operators, and elite responders around the world.
Raising the Standard—Literally
Innovation at Fjord is grounded in science. One of our proudest achievements is the development and patenting of a state-of-the-art abrasion testing machine—a device capable of simulating real-world variables like weight, angle, speed, and internal wear. This breakthrough technology allows us to design, test, and validate rope protection systems under conditions that matter most.
It’s tools like this that allow us not only to protect critical rope systems—but to push the entire industry forward.
Industry Recognition & Global Impact
This isn’t our first honor, and it won’t be our last. In 2023, Fjord was named the winner of the Coolest Thing Made in North Carolina award, and we continue to serve as an equipment provider for GRIMPDAY, the international rope rescue championship.
From the deck of a superyacht to the rigging of a rescue operation, our products are where performance meets precision—and lives depend on it.
As CEO Michael Ratigan puts it:
“Being recognized as innovators in the manufacturing industry is both an honor and a responsibility we carry with pride.”
We are incredibly thankful to the NCMEP for this recognition and to all of our partners, customers, and team members who share our mission of protecting what matters most.
