Rope made in Fall River to hold Patriots championship banner

FALL RIVER — When the sixth Super Bowl championship banner is raised at Gillette Stadium Sunday, city residents can rest assured that the rope holding it is strong and was made in Fall River.

The rope being used, made by the New England Ropes brand of Teufelberger Fiber Rope Corp. on Airport Road, will not only hold the banner, but the lines that lift the nets at the stadium.

“I love it. I look for it,” said Kevin Coughlin, Teufelberger Marine marketing manager. “I’m a real rope aficionado.”

Coughlin said he has spied New England Ropes in advertisements, and actually provided all the rope that will be used in the Mayflower II restoration project that will mark the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims finding their way to America aboard the Mayflower in 1620.

The rope used at Gillette Stadium was purchased by Teufelberger customers, who in turn make products that use the rope in items such as sports netting, weight belts and mountain climbing supplies, among many other items.

“It was all made in Fall River, MA,” Coughlin said. “We’re a true textile manufacturing facility.”

When strong rope is needed, Coughlin said customers “look to our marine division” because the product “can withstand the ocean.”

New England Ropes started in New Bedford in 1967 and moved to Fall River Industrial Park in 1993. About 10 years ago, it became Teufelberger Fiber Rope Corp. and remains a family company that employs roughly 200 people.

“It’s a success story,” Coughlin said.

The championship banner will be unveiled Sunday, Sept. 8, when the regular season opens with the New England Patriots vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium, 8:30 p.m.

Email Deborah Allard at dallard@heraldnews.com.