American & Efird (A&E), the largest supplier of sewing thread and specialty yarns in the US and second largest supplier in the world, announced today its continued investment in the company’s extensive US manufacturing platform. A&E operates as part of Elevate Textiles, a portfolio of leading textile brands including American & Efird, Burlington, Cone Denim, Gütermann and Safety Components.
“A&E was founded nearly 130 years ago in Gaston County, North Carolina and our roots remain here today,” says Mark Hatton, Managing Director American & Efird Americas. “We are very excited to continue investing in our operations, employees and the community that have supported us so well over the years. We are driving forward to vertically integrate and upgrade our US operations offering new products and manufacturing initiatives that continue to provide our customers the newest innovations and highest quality threads and yarns, with a focus on sustainability and responsible manufacturing practices.” American & Efird currently operates five manufacturing facilities and its division offices in Gaston County. Hatton continued, “Our Gaston County operations comprise the vast majority of our US platform and are a critical part of A&E’s overall global manufacturing footprint, allowing us to service our customers across many regions according to specific needs. We appreciate the support of the Gaston County Economic Development Commission and the City of Gastonia in our efforts to invest in operations and work to maintain a competitive infrastructure to service regional needs of our customers, which include threads and yarns for the US Military, healthcare, hygiene and other technical and specialty markets based out of the US.”
A&E manufacturing capabilities are completely vertical from raw cotton and other fibers through the spinning, winding, dyeing and finishing of its threads and specialty yarns. An industry leader in product innovation, quality and sustainability, A&E is known for its superior dyeing capabilities, color matching and high-performance sustainable products.
In further US investment, A&E completed the purchase of the Charles Craft high performance yarn business earlier this month, which included the assets of the Charles Craft manufacturing operation in Hamer, SC. This acquisition broadens A&E’s product offering related to thermal protection, cut resistant and flame retardant yarns and expands the company’s US platform and manufacturing capabilities. The Hamer plant will operate as part of the American & Efird US manufacturing platform.
“We honor our A&E history and take seriously our obligation to our customers, community and employees,” says Hatton. “In the Spirit of A&E’s history and legacy we remain focused on providing the most innovative and responsibly produced threads and yarns. We value our longstanding customer relationships and look forward to growing new relationships through expanded products and textile solutions across our US and global platforms.”
