Julius Kayser

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]

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]