The Association for
Hose and Accessories
Distribution

05/20/2022

NAHAD Welcomes New Member Gladding Braided Products

In early May, NAHAD welcomed new member Gladding Braided Products. Gladding Braided Products is a braiding manufacturer that applies shielding to hoses and cables for other hose companies and fabricators. Typically and commonly doing the over-braid shielding of Type 304 Stainless Steel (5 ends of 28 awg as the most common); Gladding also shields with other metals, as well as Kevlar, nylon, polyester and assorted textile fibers. The best way to learn about Gladding’s factory is to visit their website and click on the video from the TV show Modern Marvels: How Things Are Made. You will see the scale and scope of Gladding’s 24/7 facility and its broad braided shielding capabilities.

Some history about the company:  Gladding was founded over 200 years ago in 1816. For the past 34 years the business has been managed by owner/operators Sparky Christakos and son Nick Christakos, together with a team of experienced and dedicated specialists. The factory has 100,000 square feet of manufacturing and two additional 30,000-square-foot warehouses housing over 1,500 braiding machines all operating 24/7.

Gladding’s markets are diverse with an ever-expanding focus working with hose and cable OEM manufacturers. Traditional markets and customers include the U.S. Department of Defense, with Gladding being the largest braid supplier to the government.

Although relatively unknown and anonymous, located in rural northern New York State, Gladding is excited to join the NAHAD network. Already, NAHAD members have been heard saying, “How did we not know about Gladding and its capabilities?” Gladding belongs to other trade associations (the Wire industry Association, the Parachute Industry Association, and the Cordage Institute, where it has served on its board and as the organization’s president), and Gladding joined NAHAD to expand the networking with an already established “like-minded” group.

Due to the hands-on nature of Gladding’s management (being owner/operators), Gladding has the ability for quick turn-arounds as well as establishing long-term EAU blanket contracts for companies’  supply chain planning. The saying goes, “If it is braided, Gladding can probably do it.”  Current key customers are extremely varied, focusing on OEM companies like 3M, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, and other hose and cable manufacturers. The capabilities are very broad, from shielding short-length, small-diameter hoses to covering up to two-inch diameter hoses with stainless steel, tinned copper, bronze, Kevlar, and other textile fibers. 

Gladding encourages a call or email to begin a discussion; so please contact Nick@gladdingbraid.com and sparky@gladdingbraid.com or call 315-653-7211.