Rome Specialty Company Celebrates 100 Years of Excellence. The company will celebrate 100 years in business Friday, Oct. 2, with a public anniversary gathering and ribbon cutting at its West Embargo Street manufacturing facility.
The fourth-generation family company, also known as ROSCO, has made fishing tackle in Rome since 1926. Its products include snaps, swivels, leaders and other terminal tackle used by recreational and commercial anglers.
The centennial event will run from noon to 2 p.m. at 501 W. Embargo St. The Rome Chamber of Commerce will join the official ribbon cutting at 1 p.m. Refreshments and small guided tours of the facility are planned.
A century of manufacturing in Rome
Surviving for 100 years requires a company to move through changing markets, technology and customer habits. Rome Specialty Company has remained in the same community while building a customer base that extends beyond Central New York.
The company’s official website says its history of customer service dates to 1926 and identifies its products as American-made. The company is home to the ROSCO Terminal Tackle, Sampo Swivels and Donnmar Pliers brands.
President Jack Butts said the centennial belongs to the people who contributed to the company across generations.
“Reaching 100 years is something we’re incredibly proud of,” Butts said. “This milestone represents generations of employees, customers and partners who have been part of our story.”
Butts said the fishing industry has changed, but the company’s commitment to quality, craftsmanship and customer care has remained consistent.
Products with a specialized purpose
Terminal tackle refers to the small components placed near the end of a fishing line. Snaps connect lures or rigs. Swivels help reduce twisting. Leaders and related parts must perform reliably under pressure.
These products may be small, but manufacturing them requires attention to materials, strength and consistency. A failed component can mean lost equipment or a lost catch.
ROSCO products are used in settings ranging from local streams to offshore and commercial fishing, according to the company. That range helps explain how a manufacturer based in Rome can serve customers well beyond the Mohawk Valley.
More information about the company’s history, brands and products is available on the official Rome Specialty Company website.
Why local manufacturing matters
Manufacturers create jobs that support other parts of the regional economy. They buy supplies, use transportation and professional services, maintain equipment and provide wages that are spent at other local businesses.
A long-established plant also preserves specialized knowledge. Production skills are often learned through experience, with longtime employees teaching newer workers how to solve problems and maintain quality.
Family ownership can add another layer of continuity. Rome Specialty Company is now in its fourth generation. That does not remove the pressures facing any manufacturer, but it gives the business a direct connection to decisions made over a century.
The company’s continued presence also contributes to Rome’s identity. The city is known for public service, military research, technology and manufacturing. A century-old producer shows how traditional industry remains part of that mix.
Opening the doors to the community
The Oct. 2 gathering will give residents a limited look inside the facility through small guided tours. Tours can help people understand the steps and skills behind products that may appear simple on a store shelf.
Visitors should remember that this is an active manufacturing location. They should follow staff directions, remain within designated areas and ask before taking photographs. The release says media will have specific opportunities for video and facility footage, but general visitors should not assume every production area is open for photography.
Parking and tour capacity were not detailed in the announcement. Attendees may want to arrive early and be prepared to wait if a tour group is full.
A milestone shared across generations
A centennial celebration looks backward, but it also raises questions about the future. Manufacturers must continue adapting to material costs, technology, workforce needs and competition while protecting the product standards that built their reputations.
Rome Specialty Company’s anniversary statement emphasizes continuity rather than a major change in ownership or operations. Butts remains president, and the business says it is firmly rooted in Rome.
Employees, customers, distributors and community partners all played a role in reaching the milestone. The public event gives the company a way to recognize those relationships.
Centennial event details
Date: Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Time: Noon to 2 p.m.
Ribbon cutting: 1 p.m.
Location: Rome Specialty Company, 501 W. Embargo St., Rome.
Activities: Official ribbon cutting, refreshments and small guided facility tours.
Community members and local media are invited. The celebration offers Rome residents a rare opportunity to mark a full century of local production and see how a family manufacturer has connected Central New York craftsmanship with the fishing industry around the world.
