The company was started by Rod Card in his father-in-law's garage in the summer of 1986 after his first year at university. Rod had learned and practiced his net building skills by helping his father, Art, who was responsible for the fishing nets and gear of a local traditional fishery fleet. The company was called Card's Nets and it employed Rod and a few of his friends.
Card's Nets quickly gained a reputation among the local fish farmers for quality nets that were always delivered on time. This reputation fueled a steady growth in demand and the fledgling company quickly out grew the garage. In 1988, after two years of working two jobs, saving and with the assistance of the Province of N.B., the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and good customers, the company purchased a building in the St. George industrial park. The number of employees soon doubled and then tripled, the net loft now offered repair services and operated a small retail store.