Plainfield Tackle Company Keeps Growing Bigger

Growth is not a problem for Plainfield Tackle Company; in fact, it’s welcomed. How many other companies can say they expanded last year in the difficult economic times? Plainfield Tackle Company continues to grow because they search out new or unique fishing lures or products anglers want to buy. While there are hundreds of distributors or rep groups in the USA, few are willing to work with smaller companies or individuals. Even if they do, these groups only seem to care about the bigger accounts that generate large cash flow and act like they are doing you a favor by carrying your line of products.

One unique distributor/rep is Michael Gibbs, owner of Plainfield Tackle Company (www.plainfieldtackle.com, plainfieldtackle@comcast.net, or phone ….800(317) 839-0505). Gibbs began his career in the fishing tackle industry early in his life. His family owned a lure company and in time, Gibbs opened Plainfield Tackle Company. Plainfield Tackle Company consists of two parts, an online fishing tackle retail store and a distribution/rep group for companies with fishing related products.

The online store, just like the distribution/rep part, Gibbs carries products that other stores may not have. "Everything I carry in the store is from small companies, unique products that are not well known yet; I do not cater to large manufacturers," said Gibbs. Gibbs only carries and promotes products that individuals or small companies produce that are quality products. These products not only end up in his retail store but go with him to boat shows and outdoor sport shows, where he will have a booth displaying, promoting, and selling their products. For anglers looking for that edge to catch more bass than their competitors, having these unique lures or products is a strong draw to his booth or store.

The products that Plainfield Tackle Company distribution/rep come from all over the United States, including some saltwater products. "I want to be different from any other distributor/rep group out there, to do that I take the manufactures and talk with them to work on profit margins and promote their product so they can increase sales," explained Gibbs. One company that recently signed up with Plainfield Tackle Company is Smack Tackle. Smack Tackle is a hot, new line of fishing lures. “They liked the idea of working personally with a distributor who cared about their company and products,” explained Gibbs. Working directly with Gibbs, Smack Tackle can control the amount of inventory and sales. Other new companies that have signed with Plainfield Tackle Company include Van Dam Pro Series Optic Popper, Attack Pak Fishing, and Juiced Up Baits.

For individuals or small companies interested in working with Plainfield Tackle Company they should set up an appointment for Gibbs to visit or call to talk about the products they have. If after the initial contact, Plainfield Tackle Company decides to carry the product, Gibbs will send information on their products to interested small retailers that he thinks will be able to sell the product. "The key is for the product to sell in the stores," said Gibbs. It's that one-on-one contact with the distributor that makes Plainfield Tackle Company special.

Plainfield Tackle Company’s growth can also be associated with being part of Garage Underground (www.garageunderground.com). “Our company growth has been 3 to 4 times since last year; Garage Underground has given us the unbelievable return for the cost, I would say 10-fold the investment. We have had more direct sales and increased the number of retailers by being part of it,” explained Gibbs. In the end, Gibbs believes it’s all about finding and working with the individual clients that make Plainfield Tackle Company special.

Written by Brad Wiegmann.  Brad is a professional fishing guide on Beaver Lake and a freelance outdoor writer.  Contact him at (479) 756-5279, www.bradwiegmann.com, or by e-mail at bwiegmann@bradwiegmann.com.