Galey and Lord, 1910 Hunt Ave, Gastonia, NC 28054, US

Founded more than 100 years ago, American & Efird, a subsidiary of the Ruddick Corporation, manufactures a wide variety of sewing threads and associated products for industrial and consumer markets worldwide. In addition, the company distributes a variety of well-known notions and trim items. A&E thread products include aramids, bobbins, cottons and cotton wrapped threads, polyester core and wrapped products, nylon threads, and a number of specialty-engineered yarns. The company s notion and trim products include buttons, Dennison Swiftach systems, elastics, hangers, hook and loop fastening tapes, hug-snug seam binding, jet clips, pins, poly bags, shoulder-hand and twill tapes, tags and labels and a full line of YKK brand zippers. American & Efird is headquartered in Gastonia, N.C.