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, labels and a full line of YKK brand zippers. American & Efird is headquartered in Gastonia, N.C., and maintains operations in Mt. Holly, N.C.