In today’s global economy, businesses must constantly and quickly adapt to changes in trade policies and tariffs. Recent tariff discussions around U.S. imports from Canada, China and Mexico are a prime example of the new landscape for companies operating in the United States. As a research & development (R&D) leader, global manufacturer and the only company with hook and loop manufacturing capabilities in the U.S., Velcro Companies is uniquely advantaged in serving U.S. customers.
Understanding the Recent U.S. Tariff Actions
Levied by the government on goods imported from other countries, tariffs are taxes used as part of a strategy by nearly every country to protect domestic interests. Companies importing foreign goods into the country pay the tax to the imposing government and recoup the cost in the price they charge their customers.
The dynamic around tariffs in 2025 has been volatile and challenging. Citing security concerns, the U.S. government began to explore trade measures to address these concerns in early 2025.
- February 1 – U.S. announces a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico as well as a 10% tariff on goods from China effective February 4.
- February 3 – U.S. announces one-month pause on Canada and Mexico tariffs.
- February 4 – U.S. imposes 10% tariff on goods from China.
- March 4 – U.S. tariff on goods from Canada (25%), China (10%) and Mexico (25%) go into effect.
- March 5 – U.S. quickly delays tariffs on auto industry goods for one month.
- March 6 – U.S. pauses tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods compliant with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) free trade agreement.
- April 9 – U.S. initiates a minimum 10% reciprocal tariffs on imports from all countries, continues 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico not eligible for reduced duty under USMCA and 104% additional tariff on goods from China.
- April 9 – U.S. pauses tariffs on countries with non-retaliatory tariffs and raises tariff on goods from China to 125%.
Tariff Timeline includes information as of 2 p.m. ET on April 9, 2025.
In 2024, goods from China, Mexico and Canada accounted for more than 40% of imports into the U.S. For businesses that rely on imported goods, this means uncertainty, higher costs and potential disruptions in their supply chains.
A strong global manufacturing footprint with U.S. manufacturing capabilities presents a significant competitive advantage.
Global Manufacturer with Deep U.S. Roots
Velcro Companies maintains a strong global supply chain and manufacturing footprint with the ability to localize manufacturing in every region around the world. We procure raw materials from around the globe and maintain converting capabilities in a variety of countries and operate a maquiladora doing other processing in Mexico to serve customers where they are.
For its U.S. customers, Velcro Companies makes a significant portion of its product portfolio at its New Hampshire manufacturing facilities. In fact, Velcro Companies has manufactured its industry-leading fastening solutions in the U.S. since the late 1950s.
That’s nearly 70 years of VELCRO® Brand innovation and manufacturing know-how based in the U.S.
For many decades, New England — New Hampshire in particular — was the epicenter of the American manufacturing economy and featured a high concentration of skilled labor.
Velcro Companies’ roots remain firm in New Hampshire. We began production in downtown Manchester in an old mill at the corner of Dow and Canal streets. The company moved down the street to its current location on Sundial Avenue in the late 60s. Over the last 60 years, the company’s campus has grown to include three buildings totaling more than 400,000 square feet.
Today, this campus is home to the company’s global headquarters, a state-of-the-art research & development facility and more than 360,000 square feet of manufacturing space.
Velcro Companies also operates a 23,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution center in Douglas, Ariz. Originally opened in 1982, the team moves approximately 3,400 pallets and more than 1.6 million units of VELCRO® Brand products in and out each month.
In 2000, the company opened a second manufacturing facility in New Hampshire. Located in Somersworth, the site includes approximately 400,000-square-feet of space dedicated to manufacturing.
Today, Velcro Companies leverages some of the most time-tested and futuristic manufacturing techniques, with robots working alongside skilled machine operators in century-old mills and ultra-modern U.S. factories.
U.S. Manufacturing Advantage
Velcro Companies has a long-standing commitment to manufacturing high-quality products in the United States. Designed to meet the highest standards of quality and performance and comply with various U.S. compliance and regulatory standards, Velcro Companies offers a wide range of finished and semi-finished goods made at its New Hampshire manufacturing facilities.
Key benefits of choosing products made at Velcro Companies’ U.S. sites:
- Quality Assurance: VELCRO® Brand products are manufactured using state-of-the-art technology and rigorous quality control processes. This ensures customers receive products that meet their exact specifications and perform reliably in their applications.
- Compliance with U.S. Standards: VELCRO® Brand products made in its New Hampshire manufacturing facilities comply with U.S. compliance and regulatory standards, including the Berry Amendment and MIL-SPEC requirements (where applicable). This makes them ideal for use in critical applications, such as personal protective equipment (PPE) and military equipment and gear.
- Reduced Supply Chain Risks: By using its domestic manufacturing capabilities, Velcro Companies can reduce customer reliance on foreign suppliers and minimize the risks associated with global supply chain disruptions. Velcro Companies’ customers can count on a consistent and reliable supply of VELCRO® Brand products, even in times of uncertainty.
- Supporting the U.S. Economy: Velcro Companies is the only hook and loop producer with U.S. manufacturing capabilities. By choosing VELCRO® Brand products made at its New Hampshire manufacturing facilities, customers can support American jobs and contribute to the growth of the U.S. economy. This is particularly important in today’s economic climate, where supporting domestic industries is more critical than ever.
Velcro Companies earned and maintains a variety of industry quality certifications at its U.S. sites, including:
- ISO 9001:2015 (Manchester, NH)
- ISO 9001:2015 (Somersworth, NH)
- ISO 14001:2015 (Manchester & Somersworth, NH)
- IATF 16949:2016 (Manchester, NH)
- IATF 16949:2016 (Somersworth, NH)
- OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100
- BRCGS Issue 6 (Manchester, NH)
Velcro Companies’ Commitment to Innovation
Today, VELCRO® Brand products, with the same space-tested technology that helped NASA put a man on the moon, provide consumers with endless possibilities, grounded in everyday life. Velcro Companies produces a wide range of finished and semi-finished goods for consumers and businesses from its U.S. manufacturing facilities. The strength, reliability, durability and versatility of the easy-to-use VELCRO® Brand products make life easier across endless applications.
Global R&D Capabilities to Support Local Need
Over the years, more than 2,100 patents were awarded to Velcro Companies’ expert problem-solvers based in the U.S., Spain, Mexico and China. Today, the company has research & development (R&D) staff in every region of the world and continues to be an innovator in fastening technology, bringing its heritage of innovation to create solutions that meet and exceed our customers’ needs.
Equipped with cutting-edge technology, its advanced U.S. innovation center in Manchester, N.H., is an advanced engineering hub. Steeped in the rich U.S. textile manufacturing history, Velcro Companies’ engineers have been awarded more than 400 U.S. patents since its founding and consistently solve the most demanding fastening challenges through a collaborative approach that creates new innovations designed specifically for its customers.
Textile & High Technology Hook Fasteners
Velcro Companies is committed to continuous innovation and improvement. Products made at its New Hampshire facilities are designed to meet the evolving needs of its customers and provide solutions for a wide range of applications.
Some examples of our innovative products:
- Textile Hook and Loop: From the original hook and loop fastener to multiple textile variations using woven, knitted or nonwoven technology, Velcro Companies uses advanced equipment to manufacture a wide range of combinations, integrating different technologies and materials to meet the requirements of the most demanding industries. The diverse range of woven, knitted or nonwoven loop tapes will meet different performance characteristics when combined with woven or high technology hook tapes.
- High Technology Hook fasteners: High Technology Hook tapes are engineered molded hook shapes designed for superior performance when fastened to a wide variety of woven, knitted or nonwoven loop tapes. Velcro Companies can extrude hooks continuously on a variety of knits and non-woven substrates without the use of adhesive.
- Hook to Hook / Self-Engaging: Using its seasoned engineering expertise, the company also developed and continues to innovate with hook to hook and self-engaging technologies, including:
- Single hook to hook fastener system that creates a simpler, smarter and more reliable experience for your customers. With just a simple squeeze, create a secure seal that can be felt and heard.
- Self-engaging single-component “snap” closure can be engaged in any direction by firmly pressing two tapes together and provides a reliable, durable and high-performance connection.
- Hook or Loop on Opposite Sides: Single component products made of different hook and loop tape combinations in back-to-back. Available in different base materials to meet different performance characteristics, these versatile fastening options can be used as connector or protector.
- Hook and Loop on the Same Side: Woven tapes where hook and loop are woven side by side or mixed
on the same face of the tape. This woven technology
and its high-profile shape provide high-performance engagement.
- Valued Added Converted Solutions: With advanced manufacturing and converting capabilities in the United States, Velcro Companies can produce complex and high-quality tailored solutions, including special shapes and joints, die-cut components, fabricated straps and finished products.
Conclusion
Around the world, VELCRO® Brand fasteners have evolved extensively since their invention, and even accompanied the first man on the moon, securing components of Neil Armstrong’s spacesuit on his famous 1969 trip. Hook and loop, and now hook to hook, fasteners produced in New Hampshire are featured in products around the world, ranging from consumer goods to industrial to transportation to medical and even footwear, apparel and outerwear. With a library of approximately 400 active patents worldwide, the applications for VELCRO® Brand fasteners are as endless as one can imagine and continue to inspire change in ways big and small.
While the recent U.S. tariffs on imports have created challenges for many businesses, they also present opportunities for companies to diversify their supply chain with U.S. manufacturers like Velcro Companies that maintain manufacturing capabilities in the United States.
As the only company with U.S. hook and loop manufacturing capabilities, Velcro Companies offers a wide range of products made at its New Hampshire locations. Purchasing VELCRO® Brand products made at the company’s New Hampshire facilities offers numerous advantages, including more flexibility, quality assurance, compliance with U.S. standards, reduced supply chain risks and reduced landed costs.
By choosing Velcro Companies and products made at its U.S. manufacturing facilities, customers can be confident that they are receiving high-quality, reliable solutions that meet their needs.
For more information about Velcro Companies, its U.S. manufacturing capabilities and how they can benefit your business, please visit www.velcro.com.
For inquiries about the use of VELCRO® Brand products in your applications, please contact 1-800-225-0180 or email cs_vusa@velcro.com.
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