has been serving our customers since 1993. We specialize in custom designed products made with genuine VELCRO® brand products.

It began with an idea to solve a problem while Steve was crewing on a sailboat. He wanted to stop the scratches on the fiberglass of the boat with belt buckles. So he made belts with hook and loop.

The belts worked so well, that it lead to another idea. If the sails were tied with hook and loop, they would unfurl easily and could lead to more racing victories.

He knew he would need a heavier grade product for the sails, but couldn't find it in the stores. So he called the Velcro Company, and this began his education of the many types of hook and loop products.

When he could not find the products in the stores, the idea came to him to start his own business. He talked about his idea, and some laughed. Others thought it was a crazy idea. His partner, Sandy, thought the idea was "crazy enough that it just might work".

Steve was encouraged by a locksmith that was impressed with his ideas and encouraged him to pursue his dream. The first proto-type was a tool belt for the locksmith, and he was invited to display his products at a local locksmith meeting.

When he decided to begin his business, Steve had to come up with a name for the company. Since he was committed to using genuine VELCRO® brand products to make his custom items, and they would tie or wrap around objects he came up with the name Vel-Tye.

Another friend was an avid radio control airplane modeler, and he invited Steve to come to a RC meet and setup his products. When Steve went he saw that hook and loop would provide a lightweight method for the modelers to attach the engines and battery packs to the planes. A couple of pilots used the products and reported that it worked very well. As a matter of fact, when the planes crashed the parts were still in tact on impact. This was very impressive to the pilots, and they began asking him to come to other meets. Thus began the show circuit for RC modeling.

Steve met RC modelers from many professions, and they had other needs. They began asking him to make special products, and Steve could design just about anything they requested. The RC shows became an economical means of advertising.

About this time Velcro USA announced a new product called VELCRO® brand ONE-WRAP. It was an innovative way of using hook and loop bound together on one strip. It simply attached to itself instead of having to sew two pieces together.

Steve began thinking about what he could do with this new product. Cellular phones were taking off and he immediately thought of a way to make a cellular phone holder. He first designed a holder for a "brick" phone. There were many sizes of phones and with VELCRO® brand ONE-WRAP he could make them adjustable. This began the quest for a patent on his phone holder.

Sandy pursued the patent. He did the leg work and setup all the meetings. After the research was done, the patent was awarded.

A lawn care professional saw the products that Steve made and thought that the belts would work for his crew. He invited Steve to bring his products to a horticulture conference. Steve attended and found that there was uses for hook and loop in lawn care industry as well. Someone asked if he could make a glove holder, and of course he did. This became another custom designed product.

The product line has expanded to tactical vests and gear for law enforcement, armed forces, special forces; and the customer base has spread world wide.

Steve continues to met customers from many occupations which leads to the evolution of new products. While Steve continues to keep contact with his customers on the road, he is able to continue production of his products due to the dedicated and innovative staff back at the office.

We are grateful to all who have contributed to the growth of Vel-Tye, and we appreciate your support over the years.