- Speidel
Speidel is a manufacturer of
watchband s and related items based inEast Providence, Rhode Island ,United States .History
Speidel was founded in the
United States in 1904 by Albert, Edwin, and Eugene Speidel, sons ofFredrich Speidel , a successful manufacturer of gold chains inGermany . SinceWorld War I , the primary activity of the company has been the manufacture of watchbands. A merger with related German firms was carried out in 1928, and the resulting Speidel Corp. had Albert Speidel as its first CEO. His brother Edwin replaced him after his death in 1934. In 1939, the brothers took full ownership of the company by buying out German shareholders. In 1964, the company was sold toTextron , Inc. In 1997 Textron sold Speidel to German watchband makerHirsch Armbänder . In 1999, Jeffrey Massotti was named CEO, and two years later, his holding company bought Speidel from Hirsch. Massotti remains CEO today (2006).Products
The company is best known as the manufacturer of the Twist-O-Flex watchband, a metal watchband with a special design that allows it to be stretched and slid over the hand for placement on the wrist (which it shrinks to fit), eliminating the need for a clasp. Speidel began producing the Twist-O-Flex in 1959, after licensing the technology from its German inventor, Karl E. Stiegele. This product remains in production today and continues to be the company's most popular product.
During
World War II , the company briefly produced cathode-ray tubes.In addition to watchbands, Speidel produces
wristwatch es,lighter s, writing instruments, small jewelry items, and other accessories.In recent years products have been outsourced. This has resulted in quality control issues, mis-labeling and lower product quality.
External links
* [http://www.speidel.com Speidel] - official site
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