May 2008
When I was asked by my father to take on the task of introducing the Fastnet range of Innovative Landing Nets to the market I jumped at the chance. I had studied Sales and Marketing at Paisley University in Scotland and this was my opportunity to put into practice what I had learned.
Initially, I believed that the success of this venture would lie solely on my shoulders and this was at times daunting, however, I had great respect for my father and his capabilities as a product designer and engineer and his experience as an angler therefore I was excited about what lay ahead.
A year before I started a close family friend saw the potential in our product and whilst travelling around Scotland she took samples and offered them to various tackle shops. This allowed us to test the market and identify whether there would be a demand for our product and also gather valuable feedback.
When I started in June 2007 I paid a visit to these tackle shops and the results were fantastic. Our nets were selling well and the feedback was positive. I learned that people were buying our nets on appreciation alone of how beautifully designed and manufactured they were. We offered no information about our company or our product, there was no guarantee and no testimonials of support therefore it became apparent that these nets were selling themselves!
My father had supplied nets for trial purposes to various people that he believed were credible in their own right. Jock Tait the Head Ghillie on the Upper Redgorton Beat on the River Tay and Davie McPhail an internationally known fly tyer, fishery manager, Ghillie, and angling journalist. Both continue to use our nets and gave us their testimonials to support our product.
I then approached a fantastic graphic design company known as Eikon Graphics who designed the product labelling for our nets. The information provided on the labels is aimed at communicating with our potential customers - our philosophy, the innovative features of our product range and accessories available. Not only that but the fact that our nets are manufactured in Scotland and carry a lifetime Guarantee.
I introduced the Fastnet range of Innovative Landing Nets to the market in August 2007. I have travelled all over Scotland, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
We are proud to say that at the start of our first full season we have our nets in various tackle shops throughout Scotland and Ireland. Ghillies on various beats on the River Tay use and supply visitors with our Superior Salmon Gye landing net - these beats are the Upper Redgorton, Upper & Lower Kercock, Stanley Fishings, Ballathie and Atholl Estate. The Ghillie at Badenloch Estate on the River Helmsdale uses this particular landing net as well as the Ghillie on the North Park Beat on the River Dee. Furthermore, it will feature in a series on ITV this september titled 'The Salmon Journey' after catching the eye of the man behind the production.
This past year has been an amazing journey and I have to say the most rewarding part of this journey is not that our nets were selling well, obviously that’s what we need in order to continue, but it’s that the people buying our nets are talking about them.
Most recently, a gentleman got on to the subject of fishing with a man he had met whilst out shopping. He mentioned that he had bought a fantastic net recently, not just one but two of the range available, and that he would never have landed his most recent catch if it wasn’t for having this particular net. It just so happened it was our landing net he was talking about and the man he was talking to was my brother-in-law. The gentleman could not believe it - it's a small world!
This is a perfect example of what drives us to continue – exceeding the expectations of our customers and making a valuable contribution to our customers angling experience. I hope we can do this for you.
“Tight Lines”
Lynsey Cairns, Sales & Marketing Manager, Fastnet Developments