Discover how a North Carolina fishing rod manufacturer is hoping to take the fishing rod industry by storm.
The economy was rough after Matthew Cashion graduated from Virginia Tech in 2009. With a doctorate in chemistry and concentration in advanced materials science, he was having no luck finding full-time employment.
Frustrated and unemployed Matthew received a $2,000 loan from his father and decided to put it all on the line and start a fishing rod business in Stanford, NC. He called the new startup Cashion Fishing Rods. He then used his knowledge of chemistry and advanced materials science to create a fishing rod like no other—one that increases physical performance while maintaining extreme sensitivity.
Today, Cashion Fishing Rods has over 45 distributors in the US. The manufacturer hosts annual fishing tours and has award-winning professional fishermen using Cashion rods in fishing tournaments.
On this episode of Clocking In: Voices of NC Manufacturing, Matthew discusses what motivates him in the business world, the intricate details that go into Cashion products and how Cashion has grown their brand. We also go on the floor to talk to some of their workforce who are assembling Cashion fishing rods by hand.
LINKS
Cashion Fishing Rods
NCMEP
IES
ABOUT
Phil Mintz
Phil Mintz is the Executive Director of NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and Director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP). At NCMEP, Phil drives outreach to NC manufacturers, builds relationships with federal and state leaders and coordinates efforts to drive profitable manufacturing growth in the state.
Matthew Cashion
Matthew Cashion is the owner and president of Cashion Fishing Rods. Matthew Cashion founded Cashion Fishing Rod in 2009 after he received a Ph.D in chemistry with a concentration in advanced materials from Virginia Tech. Matthew earned his Bachelor’s in Chemistry from East Carolina University and went on to get his Master’s at the University of Texas at Austin. credits help from his father and faith among reason for his thriving business.
Check out the Clocking In: Voices of NC Manufacturing website.
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E52: Community Catalysts: Inside North Carolina's Community College System
E-51: Brick by Brick
E:50 - Forging the Future
E-49: From Idea to Reality
E-48: When Style and Consciousness Collide
E-47: Loud and Clear: The Manufacturing of Military Communication Equipment
E 46: Fostering Growth and Innovation
E-45: Safeguarding the Human Body
E-44: Investing In The Community
E-43: Carrying On a Legacy
E-42: Electricity, Water and Gas, Oh My!: How a Non-Profit is Making Sure Energy Companies Treat NC Manufacturers Equitably
E-41: Catching Up with Ketchie
E-40: Redefining Culture - Wieland Copper
E-39: Ready for Impact: How EDPNC Is Keeping North Carolina Competitive
E-38 A Sturdy Solution - BeachBUB
E-37: When One Door Closes…
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