What W&J Knox does

W&J Knox is a 248-year-old Scottish textile manufacturer (founded 1778) headquartered in Kilbirnie, Ayrshire, specialising in customised netting and associated lifecycle services. The company produces knotless Raschel nets, knotted nylon and HDPE netting, and Dyneema-based netting for four core verticals: aquaculture (cage nets, bird and predator nets, lice shields, treatment tarpaulins, wrasse hides, mooring/lifting systems), defence camouflage (UK MoD-spec and decorative nets), sport (archery, golf, football, shinty), and specialist industrial applications. Manufacturing is supported by in-house CAD design and FEA engineering analysis, plus a dedicated net service plant for washing, sterilisation, inspection, repair, and antifouling coating. Each net is uniquely tagged and tracked through the Knox Net Database for customer audit traceability.

The business generates revenue through four streams: bespoke custom net sales (project-quoted), recurring net service and maintenance contracts, exclusive Scottish/Irish distribution of Framo LiftUp mortality extraction systems, and bundled coatings/treatments (Steen-Hansen AquaNet, biocide-free NetCoating). Go-to-market is consultative enterprise field sales supported by inside sales and a strong Aquaculture UK trade show presence, with no public e-commerce. W&J Knox has been majority owned by Norwegian Selstad Group since 2021 (following a 2004-2021 MBO period) and holds ISO 9001:2015 certification, with active sustainability programmes including rope recycling and a 50% CO2e reduction target by 2030.

Name

W&J Knox

Legal name

W&J Knox Ltd

Website

https://wjknox.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1778

Operating status

Operating

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Netting Manufacturing

NAICS

Agricultural Implement Manufacturing (33311), Farm Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing (333111)

SIC

Farm Machinery & Equipment (3523), Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559)

akta.pro primary industry

Lace, Tulle & Netting Mills (IMAOABAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Agricultural & Horticultural Technical Textiles (Crop Covers/Shade Nets/Mulch Fabrics) (IMAOADAJ)

Keywords

• Aquaculture net manufacturing
• Customised netting solutions
• Fish farming nets
• Military camouflage nets
• Sports netting

Headquarters

HQ city

Kilbirnie

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Customised Net Sales: W&J Knox generates the majority of its revenue from the sale of bespoke, custom-manufactured nets tailored to customer specifications across aquaculture (cage nets, bird nets, predator control), camouflage (military and decorative), sport (archery, golf, football, shinty), and specialist industrial applications. Nets are sold on a project/quoted basis with pricing dependent on size, material, and specification.
2. Net Service and Maintenance: The company operates a full net service plant offering washing, sterilisation, inspection, repairs, and antifouling coating services on a contract or ad-hoc basis. Customers can return nets for full service packages or simple repairs, tracked via an online net database. This represents a recurring revenue stream tied to existing customer installations.
3. Distribution of Third-Party Products: As the exclusive Scottish and Irish distributor for Framo LiftUp mortality extraction systems, the company resells third-party hardware (mortality extraction systems, components) as a distributor, generating margin on product sales alongside its own manufactured goods.
4. Coatings and Treatments: In-house application of antifouling coatings (copper-based AquaNet, biocide-free NetCoating, net polish) and flame retardancy treatments as part of net manufacturing and service operations, bundled with net products and services.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

W&J Knox manufactures customised nets in knotless Raschel, knotted nylon, HDPE, and Dyneema materials for aquaculture (cage nets, bird/predator nets, lice shields, treatment tarpaulins), defence camouflage, sport (archery, golf, football, shinty), and specialist industrial applications. The company operates an in-house net service plant providing washing, sterilisation, inspection, repair, and antifouling coating, and is the exclusive Scottish and Irish distributor for Framo LiftUp mortality extraction systems.

Product overview

W&J Knox is a traditional net manufacturing company offering a portfolio of customised nets and related products across four core categories: Fish Farming (aquaculture cage nets, bird nets, predator control, lice shields, wrasse hides, treatment tarpaulins), Camouflage (military and decorative), Sport (archery, golf, football, shinty nets), and Specialist/Industrial applications. The product range is complemented by a comprehensive Net Service offering (washing, sterilisation, repairs, antifouling coatings) and distribution of Framo LiftUp mortality systems. Recent additions include the Glider System for net handling, Mooring Plates, and Aqualock locking mechanism. The company also provides sustainability services including rope recycling and copper-free antifoulant options. All fish farming products are customised to customer specifications with full traceability through an online net database.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fish Farming Nets Customised aquaculture nets including cage nets, bird nets, predator control nets, sweep nets, sampling nets, mortality baskets, and brailer nets for fish farming operations worldwide.
• Military Camouflage Nets Camouflage nets manufactured to UK MoD specification for woodland, desert, or arctic terrain deployment, consisting of base net and attached garnish with thermal sheets for far infra-red protection.
• Decorative Camouflage Nets Non-military camouflage nets for outdoor hides, paintball, sunscreens, snow scenes, and theatrical backdrops with optional flame retardancy.
• Sports Nets Specialist sports nets including archery backstop nets, golf practice systems, heavy duty goal nets for football and shinty, perimeter netting, and hall divisional nets.
• Specialist Industrial Nets Customised netting solutions for industrial applications including filtration sacks, bird control, safety nets, and orchestra pit nets.
• Net Service Complete net lifecycle service including washing, sterilisation, inspection, repairs, antifouling coatings (Steen-Hansen AquaNet, NetCoating), and full net database tracking with online customer access.
• Framo LiftUp Mortality Extraction Systems Norwegian-made mortality extraction systems for fish farms; W&J Knox is Scottish and Irish distributor holding stock of all major components in Ayrshire.

Quantifiable outcome

• X12 lice shield material provides better oxygen exchange than standard polyester material in Scottish water trials
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Framo (via Selstad network)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorW&J Knox is the exclusive Scottish and Irish distributor for Framo LiftUp mortality extraction systems. The company holds stock of all major components in Ayrshire, ensuring timely supply to customers. Framo LiftUp products are manufactured in Norway and distributed exclusively by Knox in these territories.
• Fjord SolutionsmajorTechnology or IntegrationW&J Knox has partnered with Fjord Solutions to bring the Aqualock locking mechanism to the Scottish aquaculture market. The Aqualock allows sinker tubes to remain submerged during all farming operations, eliminating the need for divers and cranes.
• Steen-HansenmajorTechnology or IntegrationW&J Knox has an exclusive UK use agreement for Steen-Hansen antifouling treatments including copper-based AquaNet and biocide-free NetCoating. Knox staff undergo theoretical and practical training on Steen-Hansen coatings. The companies are also collaborating to bring copper-free antifoulants (using active biocide Econea) to the Scottish market, with trials conducted in 2023 and full-scale trials planned for 2024.
• Manufacturing PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerW&J Knox works with undisclosed manufacturing partners to produce netting and associated products including lice shields, treatment tarpaulins, and wrasse hides. All products from manufacturing partners are tested to the same quality standards as in-house production. These partnerships extend Knox's product range and manufacturing capacity.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Akva Group: Norwegian aquaculture technology supplier offering nets, cages, sensors, and feeding systems. Comparable as a broader aquaculture equipment provider serving the same Scottish and Norwegian salmon farming customers, though with a wider product portfolio.
• Selstad Group: Norwegian aquaculture equipment company and majority shareholder of W&J Knox since 2021. Directly comparable as a manufacturer of aquaculture nets, mooring systems, and cage equipment, serving the same Norwegian and Scottish salmon farming customers.

Direct peers

• King Chou Marine Technology: Taiwanese manufacturer of fishing nets, aquaculture nets, and rope products. Comparable as a commercial net manufacturer serving the global aquaculture market with similar product categories and customization capabilities.
• Egersund Net: Norwegian manufacturer of specialised fishing and aquaculture nets, including Raschel knotted and knotless nets for fish farming. Directly competes with Knox in Scottish and European salmon farming markets with similar product offerings.
• Nitto Seimo: Japanese manufacturer of knotless fishing nets and aquaculture netting supplying global markets. Comparable as a large-scale technical textile manufacturer of nets for aquaculture and fishing industries with similar material technology.
• Hampidjan: Icelandic manufacturer of fishing nets and aquaculture equipment, with a long history in net-making. Highly comparable as a heritage Nordic fishing net manufacturer with technical ties to the North Atlantic aquaculture industry.
• Mørenot Group: Norwegian supplier of fishing and aquaculture equipment including nets, ropes, and trawls. Directly competes in the European seafood and aquaculture net manufacturing market with similar customer base in salmon farming.
• Garware Technical Fibres: Indian manufacturer of technical textiles including aquaculture nets, fishing nets, and specialty fabrics. Comparable as a large-scale net manufacturer serving the global aquaculture market with similar knotless and HDPE netting products.

Others

• Steen-Hansen: Norwegian supplier of marine coatings including antifouling treatments used by Knox. Adjacent peer via exclusive UK use agreement for AquaNet and NetCoating antifouling products applied to Knox's net service operations.
• Framo: Norwegian manufacturer of mortality extraction systems for fish farms, distributed exclusively by Knox in Scotland and Ireland. Comparable through its commercial partnership with Knox and shared Norwegian marine aquaculture heritage.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/WJ-Knox-Ltd-934640616591354
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/knox-and-knox-ltd

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about W&J Knox