Kayser-Roth Corporation
The Kayser-Roth Logo, Burlington, NC
Burlington Socks -The Green Toe Seam
Water Tower, Burlington, NC
Water Tower, Burlington, NC
Kayser-Roth Corporation – James W. Maynard
Julius Kayser originally of Brooklyn, NY, founded Julius Kayser & Co. and was a dominant factor in hosiery,
gloves and lingerie in the early part of the 20th Century. They acquired Chester H. Roth Co. (Esquire Socks) in
1958 and changed the name to Kayser- Roth. Alfred P. Slaner (1919-1996), the nephew of Chester Roth, had
been running the Chester H. Roth Company since the early 1950’s and became head of KR. He developed
Supp-Hose as an alternative to rubber support stockings. In 1973, Slaner is credited with developing and
promoting “No Nonsense” brand panty hose to compete with the “L’Eggs” brand from Hanes Hosiery.
In 1975, the conglomerate, Gulf &Western, acquired KR. G &W became Paramount Communications in 1989
and Viacom in 1994. In 1999, Golden Lady of Florence, Italy purchased KR. Golden Lady is the largest
hosiery manufacturer in Italy and supplies all of Italy and most of Europe.
During the 1940’s, May Hosiery Mills, owned by Ben V. May; McEwen Hosiery Mills, owned by James H.
McEwen (1894-1946); and Herbert (Hub) Kaiser merged to become May McEwen Kaiser Hosiery Mills, Inc.
Burlington Mills bought the company in 1948. Hub Kaiser became a director of Burlington Mills. Cameo, a
successful hosiery brand for MMK, was adopted by Burlington.
Julius Kayser originally of Brooklyn, NY, founded Julius Kayser & Co. and was a dominant factor in hosiery,
gloves and lingerie in the early part of the 20th Century. They acquired Chester H. Roth Co. (Esquire Socks) in
1958 and changed the name to Kayser- Roth. Alfred P. Slaner (1919-1996), the nephew of Chester Roth, had
been running the Chester H. Roth Company since the early 1950’s and became head of KR. He developed
Supp-Hose as an alternative to rubber support stockings. In 1973, Slaner is credited with developing and
promoting “No Nonsense” brand panty hose to compete with the “L’Eggs” brand from Hanes Hosiery.
In 1975, the conglomerate, Gulf &Western, acquired KR. G &W became Paramount Communications in 1989
and Viacom in 1994. In 1999, Golden Lady of Florence, Italy purchased KR. Golden Lady is the largest
hosiery manufacturer in Italy and supplies all of Italy and most of Europe.
During the 1940’s, May Hosiery Mills, owned by Ben V. May; McEwen Hosiery Mills, owned by James H.
McEwen (1894-1946); and Herbert (Hub) Kaiser merged to become May McEwen Kaiser Hosiery Mills, Inc.
Burlington Mills bought the company in 1948. Hub Kaiser became a director of Burlington Mills. Cameo, a
successful hosiery brand for MMK, was adopted by Burlington.