about us

EVER SINCE 1905 . . . when The Hosiery Association (THA) was founded, solving problems for the hosiery industry has been the backbone of the Association. THA is the only national trade association representing the manufacturers of more than 85 percent of the hosiery produced in America. Supplier companies to the hosiery industry also play a major role in membership and sponsorship of the THA.

The goal of the THA, through its voluntary membership, is to maintain the competitive advantage and economic well-being of the nation's 430 hosiery plants and their 70,000 workers which comprise the U.S. hosiery industry.

Hosiery manufacturers and suppliers who are striving to improve their business and the industry as a whole will find that THA services will benefit and assist them in the following areas:

Legislation/Regulations
You will be kept up to date on the latest legislation affecting the hosiery industry through both special bulletins and Hosiery News, the industry trade magazine. Additionally, the THA has full-time lobbying expertise and has been effective in past years in introducing legislation for duty-free entry of hosiery machines and needles; obtaining an exemption for hosiery manufacturers from Census Quarterly Reports; obtaining quotas on man-made fiber hosiery imports from Taiwan and South Korea; and preventing, where possible, market disruption caused by imports.

Statistics
You will be eligible to participate in THA's Statistical Program, which, through a series of industry statistical surveys, reveals current trends important to the hosiery industry -- production, shipments, imports and exports, employee wages and benefits, inventories, and consumer information.

Technical
The Association encourages high technical and safety standards as well as technological and design improvements in the manufacture of hosiery. THA's Technical Group is made up of hosiery manufacturing and supplier company representatives who study industry problems and work toward the development of solutions for the manufacturer and improvements for the consumer.

Seminar, Conventions, Trade Show
THA sponsors numerous seminars on topics of interest to hosiery manufacturers. In recent years seminars have included bar coding, in-house training, improving knitting production, statistical process control and sampling, and analysis of alternative wage payment systems.

THA holds an Annual Convention in the spring for the entire hosiery industry. These meetings provide educational seminars, guest speakers, fellowship, recreation, relaxation, and an exchange of ideas of interest to the industry.

The THA also sponsors a trade show, the International Hosiery Exposition. With more than 200 exhibiting companies, recent show's attendance exceeded 11,000 people from over 63 countries -- all of whom came to view firsthand the latest hosiery manufacturing machinery, equipment, services and supplies. The IHE is held in Charlotte, NC, also home to the THA.

Publications/Public Relations
THA's monthly national trade magazine, Hosiery News, features timely articles of interest to hosiery manufacturers, suppliers and buyers. It covers all THA activities, industry news, personnel changes, statistics, legislative and regulatory concerns, marketing, technology, financial reports and new product information. With advertising from all segments of the hosiery industry, this publication reaches some 10,000 hosiery executives each month and is truly their source for hosiery news!

THA's public relations efforts include maintaining a constant working relationship with members of the trade press and providing information to newspapers and television. National publicity is at its peak during Celebrate Hosiery Week held each year during August to recognize the American hosiery industry and its products.

Mission Statement
The mission of The Hosiery Association (THA) is to support its members worldwide and to promote the hosiery industry by serving as the central resource for industry information and education, providing a conduit for resolving industry issues, and functioning as the voice on common industry concerns.

Vision Statement
The vision of The Hosiery Association (THA) is to have a united, global and diverse membership actively involved in the Association. To be the premier destination for information and education related to the industry. For the organization to be financially secure. To be respected by members, government, retailers and consumers, and to be a key partner in supporting viable U.S. manufacturing.

Full-Time Professional Staff
You will have at your disposal a prepared, full-time professional staff to assist you with questions or special problems in all phases of the THA activities. For more information on THA and its membership services, contact:

The Hosiery Association
7421 Carmel Executive Park, Suite 200
Charlotte, North Carolina 28226, USA
Phone: 704-365-0913 - Fax: 704-362-2056
E-mail: thainfo@hosieryassociation.com

Staff Directory Phone Extension

Sally Kay President ext 212
Sheila Simpson Director of Finance ext 205
Vicki Camp Office Manager ext 216
Jeanna Sheldon Executive Assistant ext 203