Velcro is a brand of hook-and-loop fasteners that is widely used in clothing, shoes, and other consumer goods. The company that produces Velcro is called Velcro Companies, which was founded in 1957 by Swiss engineer George de Mestral. Velcro Companies is headquartered in Manchester, New Hampshire, and has operations in more than 25 countries around the world. In addition to hook-and-loop fasteners, Velcro Companies also produces a variety of other products, including adhesives, tapes, and straps.