VELCRO Brand

Overview

VELCRO Brand, operated by Velcro Companies, is the original manufacturer of hook-and-loop fasteners invented by George de Mestral. It supplies fastening solutions for industries including healthcare, military, automotive, aerospace, and consumer products. The brand holds trademarks on 'VELCRO' and runs campaigns to distinguish it from generic hook-and-loop products.⁵²

History

Velcro S.A. was founded in Switzerland in 1951 by George de Mestral, Alfred Gonet, Andre-Louis Burnier, and Jean Michaud.⁴ The company established its first U.S. manufacturing plant in Manchester, New Hampshire, in 1957, leveraging the area's textile expertise.⁴⁶ It remains the sole U.S. producer of textile hook-and-loop fasteners and operates globally with facilities in multiple countries.⁴²

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Velcro Companies manufactures in the United States (Manchester and Somersworth, NH; Douglas, AZ), Mexico, Spain, Canada, Belgium, Uruguay, China, and Vietnam.²³ U.S. facilities focus on textile hook-and-loop production, with plans to consolidate Manchester textiles to Somersworth while retaining other NH sites.⁴ Operations combine in-house plants with a global network.⁷

Notable Products

• VELCRO Brand ONE-WRAP Straps - Reusable straps for cable management and bundling.
• VELCRO Brand Hook and Loop Tape - Standard adhesive-backed tape for general fastening.
• VELCRO Brand Industrial Strength Fasteners - Heavy-duty hooks and loops for demanding uses.
• VELCRO Brand Medical Grade Fasteners - Sterilizable fasteners for healthcare applications.
• VELCRO Brand Sticky Back Tabs - Pre-cut adhesive tabs for quick attachments.

Reputation

VELCRO Brand is recognized by professionals for reliable performance in industrial and specialized applications like aerospace and medical.⁵ Enthusiasts value its durability and reusability over generics. Some note higher costs compared to unbranded alternatives, though the name has become genericized despite trademark efforts.⁵