Elevate Textiles Inc. said its American & Efird (A&E) division has agreed to purchase the high-performance yarn business of Charles Craft Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of high-performance flame-resistant and cut-resistant industrial yarns.
The purchase, which is expected to close in early October, brings together two of the leading technical yarn firms and expands A&E’s product offering related to thermal protection, as well as cut-resistant and flame-retardant yarns. The purchase includes the assets of the Charles Craft manufacturing operation in Hamer, S.C., which will operate as part of the American & Efird U.S. manufacturing platform. The purchase price was not disclosed.
“Charles Craft is a respected brand in the industry known for its high-end industrial yarns and quality service to the safety apparel markets,” Mark Hatton, managing director of A&E Americas, said. “Bringing together these two longstanding brands benefits both and allows us to support our combined customer base with an expanded product offering and enhanced technical expertise, all with the same reliable service they expect.”
Frank Buie, vice president of sales for Charles Craft, will join American & Efird as part of the sales management team.
“Charles Craft is excited to have its performance yarn business become part of Elevate Textiles and join with some of the industry’s most iconic brands,” Buie said. “More than 53 years ago my father, Charles Buie, acted on his life-long dream to create a small business, which grew into a leading industry brand. Becoming part of the larger A&E brand provides new life and longevity to our well-known technical yarns, while offering new opportunities for our employees and customers. We are committed to a very smooth transition for our customers and look forward to greater collaboration and synergies ahead.”
A&E is a manufacturer and distributor of premium consumer and industrial sewing thread, embroidery thread and technical textiles for the apparel, automotive components, home furnishings, medical supplies and footwear industries. A&E’s products are manufactured in 22 countries, distributed in 50 and sold in more than 100 countries. It is a division of Elevate Textiles, which also owns the Burlington, Cone Denim, Gütermann and Safety Components brands.