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Stephen Ira

SEO Auditor

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

Industrial adhesive hook and loop tape

Guide to Buying Industrial Adhesive Hook & Loop Tape

AI 4 min read

Updated On: May 24, 2026

Industrial environments call for fasteners that are strong, versatile, and easy to apply. Adhesive hook and loop tape offers a clean, reliable alternative to screws or rivets in many applications—from bundling cables and mounting signage to securing panels or equipment parts.
Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira
Hook and Loop in medical devices

Hook and Loop Fasteners in Medical Devices: Features & Use Cases

AI 5 min read

Updated On: May 24, 2026

In medical environments, fasteners must be reliable, safe, and easy to use-often under time-sensitive conditions. Hook and loop medical devices offer healthcare manufacturers and OEMs an adaptable, skin-safe solution that can be used across a wide range of clinical and patient-facing applications.
Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira
A screenshot of a backend content management system panel displaying fields for Title and URL-Key next to uploaded Featured and Mobile images of a black industrial loop strap with a yellow pull tab used for Hook and Loop Straps manufacturing.

Custom Velcro Strap Manufacturing for OEMs: What OEMs Need to Know

AI 5 min read

Updated On: May 24, 2026

Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) rely on precision, durability, and efficiency. When sourcing custom Velcro straps, the ability to tailor fasteners to fit exact design requirements can make the difference between a streamlined assembly process and a costly production bottleneck.
Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira
Close-up of hands using a sewing machine to attach a VELCRO® Brand hook and loop patch

Making Custom or Embroidered VELCRO® Brand Patches

AI 5 min read

Updated On: May 23, 2026

Custom patches are a fast and easy way to customize jackets, sweaters, shirts and even pants. This is why they have become a favorite of the military, law enforcement and athletic organizations. Combining patches with hook and loop fasteners makes them easy to remove for cleaning the garment, or to change out when needed. With that in mind, here’s how to make custom VELCRO® Brand patches.
Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira
Black Hook and Loop roll detail

How to Use VELCRO® Brand fasteners Rollers?

AI 5 min read

Updated On: May 23, 2026

Since its invention back in the 1940s, VELCRO® Brand hook and loop fasteners have proven remarkably versatile. From hanging art to closing spacesuits, hook and loop fasteners have found applications in all sorts of areas—including beauty. For example, VELCRO® Brand rollers are known for their ability to add bounce, volume and curl to straight hair. What’s more, they can work with or without heat. Here’s a look at how VELCRO® Brand fasteners work, and how to use VELCRO® Brand rollers.
Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira
Detail Rolls Cropped

How to Remove Hair From VELCRO® Brand Fasteners?

AI 4 min read

Updated On: May 23, 2026

The ability of VELCRO® Brand hooks to cling to fabrics makes the product both handy and versatile. However, like so many other useful tools, VELCRO® Brand hooks can sometimes need maintenance. In this case, their propensity to hold on to hair, lint and dust can be problematic, unless you know how to remove hair from VELCRO® Brand hooks. And, it can be much easier to do when you understand how it works.
Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira

How To Make VELCRO® Brand Hooks Stick Again?

AI 4 min read

Updated On: Feb 25, 2026

The hooks and loops we know as the VELCRO® Brand fastening system have a myriad of uses, ranging from hair curlers to spacesuits. Ironically though, the system’s mechanics make it vulnerable to failure. The hooks lose their ability to grip if they get clogged with hair, dust, or lint.
Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira
Black Hook and Loop roll detail

Will VELCRO® Brand Fasteners Stick to Felt?

AI 4 min read

Updated On: May 23, 2026

We all know and love VELCRO® Brand hooks and loops for their versatility. The uses are almost limitless, as long as you pay attention to the way it works and what it likes to do. In this case, if you’re wondering will VELCRO® Brand hooks stick to felt, the answer is an absolute yes — as long as you’re using the right kind of felt, and the right kind of hooks.
Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira
Golf Towel

The Best Sports Towels for Athletes and Outdoor Enthusiasts

AI 4 min read

Updated On: May 23, 2026

Towels are generally a necessary and ubiquitous part of sports and The Great Outdoors. Sure, they may seem mundane, and most people don’t think a lot about the. But beyond absorbing perspiration, towels these days can contribute to better hygiene, comfort, and your overall performance. And as it turns out, not all towels are created equally, even wraps that use Velcro with adhesive and other fasteners.

Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira
Industrial warehouse featuring pallets and shipping boxes for storage and logistics

Popular Packaging Solutions for Shipping and Storage

AI 3 min read

Updated On: May 23, 2026

When it comes to shipping and storage, your options can seem both limitless and confusing. There are so many ways you can ship boxes, for instance, or customize packaging using polypropylene webbing tape.

Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira
Black Hook and Loop roll detail

How to Organize Your Garage with Bike Storage Solutions

AI 4 min read

Updated On: May 23, 2026

You told yourself it would never happen to you, but it did: you have a cluttered garage. Actually, it’s kind of a mess. You barely have room for your vehicle. And forget about finding something in there when you need it — you no longer know where anything is. You wonder how you’ve accumulated so much … stuff.

Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira
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