
Kansas City, MO – With Independence Day and the United States’ 250th anniversary just a year away, one Missouri company is stitching its way into history.
Allied Materials, based in Kansas City, has been manufacturing since 1951. The company now makes about 1,000 flags per day, with many destined for military funerals, government buildings and patriotic front porches nationwide.
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The company is the largest vertically integrated flag manufacturer in the U.S., producing over 300,000 flags per year for federal agencies alone — including the U.S. Senate, the Department of Defense and military bases around the world.
Man sewing the top section of red and white stripes to the bottom half of an American flag at Allied Materials.
A worker tackles one of the most difficult steps in the flag-making process. (Olivianna Calmes)
“We make federal government-compliant flags,” Young said. “That means every single component is sourced in America — from the cotton seed to the dyed fabric. There are no corners cut, no costs spared. It truly is the best flag you can put in front of your home.”
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“From start to finish, that flag may only take a couple hours,” Young said. “But the purpose it serves lasts a lifetime.”
For many of Allied’s employees, that purpose is personal.
“These people work really hard,” said longtime machine technician Terry Walker. “Every fallen veteran gets one of these flags. And it’s an honor to work here.”
American flag laid out flat on a work table inside Allied Materials factory
A freshly sewn American flag undergoes quality inspection at Allied Materials. (Olivianna Calmes )
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As the U.S. looks ahead to its semiquincentennial in 2026, Allied is preparing for what could be the largest flag-flying event in American history.
“We’re starting our marketing plan now and building inventory this fall,” Young said. “We want to be ready for everyone — whether they’re a homeowner looking to fly a flag or a government agency planning a ceremony. We’ll be here.”
Infographic about American flag sales and production from Allied Materials
150 million flags are sold annually—94% are made in the U.S. (Olivianna Calmes)
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“When other suppliers were hit by tariffs, we weren’t,” he said. “It was actually kind of fun to call our customers and say, ‘Today you’re getting a call from an American manufacturer who makes American-made products with American raw materials.’”
Close-up of red and white stripes of an American flag being sewn together at Allied Materials factory in Kansas City, Missouri.
The red and white stripes of an American flag are expertly sewn together at Allied Materials. (Olivianna Calmes)
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“A flag isn’t just a product,” Young said. “It’s a symbol of our nation’s history — and of everyone who’s been part of the fabric of this country.”
All images and information were captured during a site visit to Allied Materials, a flag manufacturing facility based in Kansas City, Missouri.
* Original Article:
https://www.foxnews.com/us/sewn-pride-flag-factory-gears-up-250th-anniversary-nation