Kayser-Roth
Encyclopedia
Kayser-Roth Corporation (a subsidiary of Golden Lady) is an intimate apparel
and hosiery
manufacturer based in Greensboro
, North Carolina
. The company currently markets two brands in North America, No Nonsense
and HUE.
, lingerie
and gloves. In 1958, the company purchased the Chester H. Roth Company, forming Kayser-Roth. Alfred P. Slaner
, the first head of the merged company, developed Supp-Hose hosiery.
In 1973, in order to compete with the L'eggs brand (currently owned by HanesBrands
), Kayser-Roth launched the No Nonsense
brand, which was one of the first brands of hosiery to be sold in supermarket
s, drugstore
s and discount department stores. Two years later, the conglomerate Gulf+Western
purchased Kayser-Roth.
Over the following years manufacturing improvements were made to Kayser-Roth plants located in Canada, most notably Ontario and Quebec. Such markets as the automotive industry were tapped. For a time there was almost no automobile produced that did not have Kayser-Roth product inside. Designer alliances like Liz Claibourne were enjoyed.
In 1985, the conglomerate divested Kayser-Roth to the Wickes Companies as it was selling off all of its non-entertainment properties. Eight years later, Grupo Synkro, a Mexican hosiery manufacturer, purchased the company for approximately 233 million USD
.
In 1999, Golden Lady, the largest hosiery manufacturer in Europe, acquired Kayser-Roth Corporation from Grupo Synkro and reorganized the company. During the 2000s, the No Nonsense brand expanded to include bra
s, panties
, sleepwear, sock
s for women and men, and foot comfort products.
Today, Kayser-Roth products are featured on the television show, Gossip Girl and have been previously showcased on The View.
Intimate Apparel
Intimate Apparel is a play written by Lynn Nottage. The play is a co-production and co-commission between Center Stage, Baltimore, Maryland, and South Coast Repertory, Costa Mesa, California....
and hosiery
Hosiery
Hosiery, also referred to as legwear, describes garments worn directly on the feet and legs. The term originated as the collective term for products of which a maker or seller is termed a hosier; and those products are also known generically as hose...
manufacturer based in Greensboro
Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the third-largest city by population in North Carolina and the largest city in Guilford County and the surrounding Piedmont Triad metropolitan region. According to the 2010 U.S...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. The company currently markets two brands in North America, No Nonsense
No nonsense
No Nonsense is a brand of women's legwear, owned by Kayser-Roth , sold at many food, drug, mass and club outlets...
and HUE.
History
Julius Kayser & Co., the predecessor to the modern Kayser-Roth Corporation, was founded in the early 20th century by Julius Kayser and was a notable manufacturer of hosieryHosiery
Hosiery, also referred to as legwear, describes garments worn directly on the feet and legs. The term originated as the collective term for products of which a maker or seller is termed a hosier; and those products are also known generically as hose...
, lingerie
Lingerie
Lingerie are fashionable and possibly alluring undergarments.Lingerie usually incorporates one or more flexible, stretchy materials like Lycra, nylon , polyester, satin, lace, silk and sheer fabric which are not typically used in more functional, basic cotton undergarments.The term in the French...
and gloves. In 1958, the company purchased the Chester H. Roth Company, forming Kayser-Roth. Alfred P. Slaner
Alfred P. Slaner
Alfred P. Slaner was an American businessman and one-time president of the Kayser-Roth Corporation.He developed Supp-Hose uplifting hosiery. Slaner later made money in electronics and became a major benefactor of the United Jewish Appeal...
, the first head of the merged company, developed Supp-Hose hosiery.
In 1973, in order to compete with the L'eggs brand (currently owned by HanesBrands
HanesBrands
HanesBrands Inc. is a clothing company based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It employs 50,000 people internationally. On September 6, 2006 the company was spun off by the Sara Lee Corporation....
), Kayser-Roth launched the No Nonsense
No nonsense
No Nonsense is a brand of women's legwear, owned by Kayser-Roth , sold at many food, drug, mass and club outlets...
brand, which was one of the first brands of hosiery to be sold in supermarket
Supermarket
A supermarket, a form of grocery store, is a self-service store offering a wide variety of food and household merchandise, organized into departments...
s, drugstore
Drugstore
Drugstore is a common American term for a type of store centrally featuring a pharmacy. Drugstores sell not only medicines, but also miscellaneous items such as candy, cosmetics, and magazines, as well as light refreshments....
s and discount department stores. Two years later, the conglomerate Gulf+Western
Gulf+Western
Gulf and Western Industries, Inc., for a number of years known as Gulf+Western, was an American conglomerate.- History :Gulf and Western's prosaic origins date to a manufacturer named Michigan Bumper Co. founded in 1934, though Charles Bluhdorn treated his 1958 takeover of what was then Michigan...
purchased Kayser-Roth.
Over the following years manufacturing improvements were made to Kayser-Roth plants located in Canada, most notably Ontario and Quebec. Such markets as the automotive industry were tapped. For a time there was almost no automobile produced that did not have Kayser-Roth product inside. Designer alliances like Liz Claibourne were enjoyed.
In 1985, the conglomerate divested Kayser-Roth to the Wickes Companies as it was selling off all of its non-entertainment properties. Eight years later, Grupo Synkro, a Mexican hosiery manufacturer, purchased the company for approximately 233 million USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
.
In 1999, Golden Lady, the largest hosiery manufacturer in Europe, acquired Kayser-Roth Corporation from Grupo Synkro and reorganized the company. During the 2000s, the No Nonsense brand expanded to include bra
Bra
Bra may refer to:-Places:Italy* Bra, Piedmont, a comune in the Province of Cuneo, Piedmont* Piazza Bra, a piazza in VeronaUnited States* Brattleboro , a rail station in Windham County, Vermont-Other uses:...
s, panties
Panties
Panties are a form of underwear, usually light and snug-fitting, designed to be worn by women or girls in the area directly below the waist. Typical components include an elastic waistband, a crotch panel to cover the genital area , and a pair of leg openings which, like the waistband, are often...
, sleepwear, sock
Sock
A sock is an item of clothing worn on the feet. The foot is among the heaviest producers of sweat in the body, as it is able to produce over of perspiration per day. Socks help to absorb this sweat and draw it to areas where air can evaporate the perspiration. In cold environments, socks decrease...
s for women and men, and foot comfort products.
Today, Kayser-Roth products are featured on the television show, Gossip Girl and have been previously showcased on The View.