History
A&E has been in the textile business for more than 120 years, surviving depressions, technological upheavals, and numerous other challenges to remain one of the world’s largest manufacturers and distributors of industrial sewing thread, embroidery thread and technical textiles.
A&E began in 1891, on what was known as Dutchman’s Creek. Charles Egbert Hutchison launched Nims Manufacturing Company with six investors. The company was successful and in 1920 was consolidated, with other textile mills, into a new corporation known as American Yarn and Processing Company. In 1947, the company bought controlling interest in the Efird Manufacturing Company, located in Albemarle, NC, and founded by J.S. Efird.
After the completion of the merger between American Yarn Processing and Efird Manufacturing in 1952, the company name changed to American & Efird® Mills, Inc. In 1968, the diversified interests of R. S. Dickson combined to form the Ruddick Corporation, a holding company, which became A&E’s parent company. Under this affiliation, A&E continued to grow, expanding across the country and world.
Since the days of water wheels in the 1890’s, A&E has greatly expanded its global facilities, maintaining pace through technological improvements. A&E was the first textile company in North Carolina to digitally match colors, automate the doffing system on spinning frames, and computerize dye machines. As part of the KPS Capital Partners portfolio, American & Efird LLC stands ready to meet future challenges and continue to serve the needs of the industrial sewing thread, technical textile and embroidery thread markets.
Milestones A&E Lanka
1991 – Manchester Yarn & Thread (Pvt) Ltd. was established at 66, Messenger Street, Colombo 12. Initial business was set up to import dyed black & white yarn from China then to wind and sell under the brand name of “Panda”.
1992 – New premises were established at Kaduwela (current location) and Yarn dying operations were started with a few dying machines. First local colour card was developed with a range of 121 colours.
1996 – Manchester Yarn & Thread signed a licensee agreement with American & Efird Inc. USA to sell its Brand in Sri Lanka.
2000 – Manchester Yarn & Thread (Pvt) Ltd. was reincorporated as American Efird Lanka (Pvt) Ltd with its three way Joint Venture agreement between American & Efird Inc. USA, Phoenix Ventures Ltd (Current Brandix lanka Ltd) and Mast Industries (Current Brandot International) USA.
2005 – Community Leader Awards
- A&E emerged as the “Bronze Award” winners in the ‘Large Scale Category’ at the recently concluded “Community Leader Award 2005” ceremony, conducted by CIMA and sponsored by John Keells Holdings
- The award validates A&E’s consistent endeavor in Environmental Excellence & its commitment to the community at large.
2006 – A&E was awarded with AAFA Awards for Environmental Excellence.
- Many large global organizations both in the Apparel and the Footwear business were competing for this award. We immerging as winners validate our commitment towards Social Responsibility.
- The award ceremony was held in Florida at the AAFM Annual General Meeting on February 23-25, 2006
2012 – American & Efird Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. became a fully owned subsidiary of A&E LLC. USA with the acquisition of Brnadix and Brandot shareholding by A&E LLC.
Corporate Information
Currently, the A&E global supply network has 31 manufacturing centers and 76 distribution points located within 41 countries. In recent years, A&E has increased its global product offerings through the acquisitions of Ludlow®, Robison-Anton® and Synthetic Thread, well known manufacturing companies of quality industrial sewing thread, technical textiles and embroidery yarns and thread. A&E continues to align itself with industry leaders such as India’s Vardhman Threads.
