Julius Kayser (1838–1920) was an American businessman and founder of The Julius Kayser Company (now Kayser-Roth).

Julius Kayser
Born1838
Died1920 (age 82)
NationalityAmerican
Known forFounder of The Julius Kayser Company
SpouseHenrietta Kayser
Children1

Biography

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Slaner was born to a Jewish family in New York City, the son of immigrants from Germany.[1] His family moved to Hornell, New York where they manufactured silk gloves. Kayser developed and patented a unique glove with reinforced fingertips that set him apart from the competition. In the 1880s, he opened a factory in Brooklyn.[1] In 1911, he expanded into silk underwear, veils, and lingerie.

Recognising the power of the new media (as large circulation fashion magazines such as Vogue and Cosmopolitan were exploding in popularity), Kayser devoted a great deal of time and energy into domestic and even international advertising - a move that brought immediate returns and rapid expansion.[1]

By 1913, he had over 2,500 employees and by 1916, he had 14 mills employing over 7,500.[1] In addition to his large mill in Brooklyn, most of the mills were in New York state (Hornell, Walton, Sidney, Owego, Schenectady, Binghamton, Amsterdam, Syracuse, Buffalo, Monticello and Rockville Center).[1]

In 1958, his company was merged into the Chester H. Roth Hosiery Company in 1958 to become Kayser-Roth with Alfred P. Slaner as president.[1][2] In 1975, Kayser-Roth was sold to Gulf and Western[3] and in 1993, it was sold to Mexican hosiery manufacturer Grupo Synkro for US$230,000,000.[4]

Personal life and philanthropy

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He was a prominent donor to Jewish causes, including the Hebrew Orphan Asylum and the Hebrew Hospital.[1] He was married to Henrietta Kayser; they had one daughter, who remained unmarried. He died in 1920.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Past and Present: The Julius Kayser Company, Clinton Hill". Brownstoner Magazine.
  2. ^ "Chester Roth, Dies at 75; Founded Hosiery Concern That Became Kayser‐Roth". The New York Times. July 27, 1977.
  3. ^ "Alfred Slaner, Executive Who Developed Supp-Hose". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. March 15, 1996.
  4. ^ "GRUPO SYNKRO AND MEXICAN INVESTMENT GROUP AGREE TO ACQUIRE KAYSER-ROTH CORPORATION". PR Newswire Association LLC. Archived from the original on 2012-10-21. Retrieved 2010-09-04.