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Stephen Ira

Owner and President

Expertise:

Hook-and Loop Product Engineering
• Product Innovation
• Mechanical Engineering
Stephen Ira worked as an inventor for a small manufacturing company where he developed several patents that included Velcro® brand products which led to his founding of HookandLoop.com in 1989, distributing Velcro® brand fasteners across the country. Stephen’s company has grown into a business that specializes in manufacturing hook and loop products that are used in the final products in many industries around the world. Stephen is a graduate of the University of Memphis with a BS degree in mechanical engineering and specialized in machine design and solar engineering. He lives in Jacksonville, Florida where he enjoys an avid outdoor lifestyle and spending time with his two daughters.
10+ Years of Experiences
180+ Articles Written
Organization
The association for Business Journalist

Stephen'S Picks

Stacked rolls of colorful hook and loop fastener material.

Fire Retardant Hook and Loop

AI 2 min read

Updated On: Jun 23, 2026

Fire retardant hook and loop, also known as flame resistant or fireproof adhesive, has a protective coating that slows the burn process so that it meets certain specifications. The testing method our material is subjected to is FAA 25.853.(b).

Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira
Stacked rolls of colorful hook and loop fastener material.

The Difference Between Hook Vs. Loop

AI 3 min read

Updated On: Jun 23, 2026

Before going over the difference between hook and loop, it’s important to note that what most people consider “Velcro” is a product called hook and loop. “Velcro” is a brand, called the Velcro Companies, and they are the original manufacturer of hook and loop fasteners.

Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira
EZ_Peel_Strap.png

There’s No Such Thing as a Velcro Strap

AI 2 min read

Updated On: Jun 23, 2026

“Velcro” is actually a brand, not a product! The product is called hook and loop fasteners and we manufacture hundreds of thousands of straps annually with hook and loop. We make these straps with our DuraGrip Brand hook and loop as well as with VELCRO® Brand hook and loop fasteners. So technically, the proper way to describe “Velcro straps” would be “Hook and Loop Straps made with VELCRO® Brand Fasteners”. Now lets strap in.
Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira
Yellow and black hook and loop fastener strap peeling apart.

Low Profile Hook and Loop Products

AI 2 min read

Updated On: Jun 23, 2026

Low profile hook and loop is something we get requests for fairly often. The Velcro Companies sell a consumer product known as Industrial Strength hook and loop that uses the standard Loop 100 fastener with a low-profile molded HTH hook. While we don’t offer that exact hook style, we do carry some comparable hook fasteners.

Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira
Yellow and black hook and loop fastener strap peeling apart.

Hook and Loop Color Options

AI 3 min read

Updated On: Jun 23, 2026

Color options are always a popular topic here amongst our customers. Black is far and away the most popular color, but we offer 25 different color options among all of our products for a variety of needs and applications and it’s time we review those color options for you.

Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira
Yellow and black hook and loop fastener strap peeling apart.

"Do You Send Samples?"

AI 3 min read

Updated On: Jun 23, 2026

Every day we take phone calls and answer emails from customers trying to find the right product for their application. Sometimes we suggest sending samples to the customer in order to test out the products we have available and to see which one works the best for them.

Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira
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Strap Options For Businesses

AI 3 min read

Updated On: Jun 23, 2026

All of the strap options we have available online are only a fraction of what we can do. Every part of our strap manufacturing process is fully customizable and we can provide a quote usually in the same day. We offer custom tip styles, colors, and lengths as well as sewn straps, grommets, and more.

Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira
Black shock cord and webbing strap assembly featuring a "SHOCKLES" brand label and carabiner clips.

DuraGrip Brand vs. VELCRO ® Brand Products

AI 4 min read

Updated On: Jun 23, 2026

A lot of our customer interaction involves teaching the customer all about hook and loop. One of the first things we explain is that the product is hook and loop. We also explain that there are different manufacturers and different brands of material. At HookandLoop.com, we stock two hook and loop brands: our DuraGrip Brand, and the VELCRO ® Brand. Each brand offers different advantages.

Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira
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Wholesale Pricing

AI 2 min read

Updated On: Jun 23, 2026

We here at HookandLoop.com often field questions regarding special, wholesale, or distributor pricing. Instead of providing different pricing for a variety of different customers, we offer one pricing structure for all purchases. We start with our base price, which is calculated per roll. Regardless of whether the purchaser is a business, consumer, manufacturer or end user, the price is the same.

Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira
Stacked rolls of colorful hook and loop fastener material stored on warehouse shelving units.

Shipping Options

AI 3 min read

Updated On: Jun 23, 2026

At HookandLoop.com, our shipping options include all of the large mail carriers including UPS, USPS, and FedEx. We also schedule freight pickups, ship on customer accounts and ship via DHL. Our preferred carrier is FedEx due to their timely delivery and reliable pickups, but we will ship via any method our customers prefer.

Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira
straps-cinch-as-shipped-and-closed1.jpg

Quick Sample Straps

AI 3 min read

Updated On: Jun 23, 2026

With so many strap styles and options available, we get a ton of requests for sample straps so customers can be confident in their purchase. One way we do this is with our quick sample straps option. A quick sample is a sampling of 4 custom straps made to order for $20.00. The $20.00 charge includes shipping.

Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira
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