[2] The firm produced a wide range of plaited or braided cords, threads, and hundreds of varieties of other cordage goods, which were used largely throughout Victoria, other Australian states and territories, and the world.

[9] Downs learned the rope making trade from his father, and began working from age seven with Messrs. Bates of Stockport, one of the largest cordage manufacturers at the time.

[1] In 1888, he immigrated to Victoria, and worked for five months as a master rope maker for the pioneer firm James Miller & Co. in Coburg.

[17][18] In the late 20th century, his son John Trevor Cavanagh Downs became the fourth generation managing director.

[20] Three men waited outside the Cassels Road office, and threatened payroll staff with pistols and a sawn-off shotgun, before escaping with $10,567 (equivalent to $84,000 in 2022).

[1] They sourced additional materials from the United Kingdom, Italy, Russia, India, and the Philippines, including various types of yarn, hemp and flax.

[24][15] In the early and mid 20th century, the factory was fully equipped with what was considered some of the most modern, up-to-date and efficient machinery of that time.

[2][6] The rope walk was shortened when the firm began to specialize in smaller cordage products such as fishing line, halters, and twine.

The machine would wind up eight strands of cord and plait them into a unified product, which was passed over a pulley and wound into coils.

[1] Although the company's chief product was rope and twine, the firm produced hundreds of varieties of other cordage goods.

[23] In the early 20th century, the firm stopped manufacturing rope, and specialized in smaller cordage products, including twine, sewing threads, sash cords, and fishing lines.

[4] In addition to producing goods for businesses and the general public, the firm fulfilled orders from governments in Australia and overseas.

[25] The American company claimed that they had discovered that Downs & Son was selling cordage under a mark consisting of the words "Blue Dot", which they argued was an infringement on their trademark and design.

[25] The court granted an injunction against Downs & Son in September, 1924, and remarked that difficulties in deciding the case had been added to by the fact that both companies had carried on business under the same name.