Our History

• In the 16th century, brass and copper were seen as part of the "New Economy.” The goldsmith, Wilhelm Prym, started a manufacturing business using these materials in Aachen, Germany in 1530, and thus established a family tradition. In 1642, the Prym family moved to Stolberg.
• In 1924, Hans August Prym established William Prym, Inc., U.S.A. in New York City as the exclusive U.S. importer and sales agent.
• In 1939, the company moved to Dayville, Connecticut.
• For a brief period of time, Prym also manufactured bobby pins, paper clips, thumb tacks and wire hangers. Manufacturing of these items ceased by the early 1950's.
• In 1946, Herman Koehl, working closely with Hans Prym, invented the "Cover Your Own Button and Buckle." This invention gave the Company a broader base for sewing notions and became the basis for the present notions business.
• During the 1920's, John Dritz & Sons was a manufacturer and distributor of beaded handbags based in New York City. Over the years, John Dritz and his sons developed many innovative sewing notions and gadgets, such as seam rippers, zippers and electric scissors. In 1959, John Dritz & Sons moved to Spartanburg, South Carolina.
• In 1969, the Dritz family sold their company to Scovill of Connecticut.
• In 1980, Scovill sold the Dritz operations to Risdon of Waterbury, Connecticut.
• In 1985, the Dritz operations in Spartanburg and New Bedford were purchased by managers who formed the Dritz Corporation.
• In 1988, Prym acquired the Dritz Corporation and formed the Prym Consumer USA Inc. Corporation.
• In 1990, all operations were centralized to Spartanburg, South Carolina.
• In 1995, Prym Dritz acquired Hollywood Trims®, a leading manufacturer/distributor of high quality decorative trims for home decorating.
• In 1999, Prym Dritz. acquired W. H. Collins, Inc., a leading distributor of sewing and quilting notions.
• In 1999, Prym Dritz also acquired Omnigrid Inc., a leading manufacturer of quilting and sewing rulers.
• Johan Starrenburg became President & CEO in 2002.
• In 2005, the Prym Dritz Corporation. changed its name to Prym Consumer USA Inc.
• Today, Prym Consumer USA and Canada are recognized as the leading distributors of sewing and quilting notions and related craft accessories. Prym Consumer USA is part of the Prym Consumer Group with manufacturing and distribution facilities located worldwide.

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