1954

As a high school student Elvin C. Price in his native South Carolina, took his first job in 1954 sweeping floors at a sewing plant. While pushing the broom, he noticed the sewing machine operators struggling to control the fabric and produce consistent and quality garments.

In his spare time, Elvin began making small attachments from scrap metal and he gave them, for free, to the operators. The attachments allowed them to become more efficient while sewing consistent and quality garments. The word quickly spread about his new attachments and technical ability.

Later, he became a highly sought sewing machine technician, which resulted in moving his family to Atlanta, Georgia in 1966, in search of a brighter future. However, he found himself working for a company that was offering their customers inferior quality products and he knew he could do better.

1969

Elvin Price established what was to become Atlanta Attachment Company in the basement of his home with less than $250 in his bank account.

1971

Moved to first building in Doraville, Georgia

1971

Elvin (right) hired Joey Bottoms (left) and Travis Paul (center) to help build products.

1971

Elvin purchases the first company plane to make “Sudden Service” even faster. The second one (see photo) was purchased in 1975.

1973

Moved to second building in Doraville, Georgia.
The facility started at 1000 sq ft and expanded over 5 years to 4,000 sq. ft.

1978

Construction begins on the 401 Industrial Park Drive building with 10,000 square feet of space. The irony is the large round water tower and a furniture factory on the property across the street can faintly be seen and to be the future site of Atlanta Attachment Company in 2007.

1978

Nice new working environment.

1979

First folder catalog created for the first Bobbin show attended in 1980.

1980

Working in the shop

1982

Logo trademarked

1982

Building space doubled, bringing the total square footage to 20,000.

1983

Elvin Price helped support and establish Eagle Ranch, an internationally recognized pioneer of childcare and family reunification.

As an original member of the board of directors, Elvin was instrumental in establishing the bylaws that the ranch could never borrow money and funds must be raised before construction of any addition.

1983

The first Bobbin Show attended was in 1980 and in 1983 was the first presentation of automation for the apparel industry.

1983

Purchased a Navajo Chieftain for the safety factor and its long range fuel tanks.

1984

First supplement to the folder catalog dedicated to only new equipment presented at the 1984 Bobbin Show

1989

Randy Cross, President & COO

1989

Elvin Price works with volunteers to establish the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation (Georgia Chapter)

1990

New 486 Computers with Autocad for R&D.

A new Fadal CNC Milling machine was added to the existing CNC department.

1990

Expanded 401 Industrial Park Dr to 80,000 square feet facility and by 1992 employed 175 people.

1991

First patent issued; 5,159,889, Sewing machine with automatic latch back device and method of sewing a portion of a thread chain.

As of 2018, a quick search on the USPTO website results in 50 patents issued. there are 20 active patents on equipment and 13 ornamental design patents for mattress borders. Below are a few of the present patents:

1992

Elvin Price establishes the The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation Annual Golf Classic that is still being held today.

1994

Wendell Piper, President & COO
Over 200 employees

1994

Expanded 401 Industrial Park Dr to 115,000 Square feet
Which included a second building at 273 Industrial Park Drive

1994

273 Industrial Park Drive

1994

NAFTA – North American Free Trade Agreement

The strategy of the company had to change because the apparel sewing market left the United States. AAC had to diversify and become part of the International market in different areas of the sewn products industry.

1994

25th Anniversary

1994

With anticipation of increased sales in Latin America, AAC expanded a sales office and showroom facility in Miami, Florida.

First Spanish Equipment Show Catalog was created for this new expanded area.

1995

The Sudden Service Team in front of AAC’s hanger at the Lawrenceville, Ga Airport.

1996

AAC’s introduction to the internet with it’s first website.

1997

Priceless Plane Products established and in 2001 the logo is trademarked.

1997

SolidWorks 3D modeling was introduced to replace AutoCad’s 2D for equipment design.

1998

Serial Bus Control System released. A new 4 wire system with modules to manage the functions of automating equipment.

1999

AAC logo trademark updated

2001

Logo trademark updated referencing “Sewing Automation” from “Sudden Service” because of the expanded R&D developments into automated sewing equipment.

2002

Expanded into the automotive industry building the framework for the Panoz Esperante sports car.

2002

First ISPA EXPO for AAC.
First Mattress Industry Catalog that included 7 machines is introduced at the EXPO

2002

Lazy Susan is trademarked for use on Priceless Tugs with a zero turn radius.

2003

Hank Little hired as V.P of Sales and in 2006 became President of AAC

2003

Priceless Plane Products is a sponsor of the First Flight Centennial celebration. This was an excellent opportunity to showcase our tugs to the world in Kitty Hawk, NC.

2006

Atlanta Parts Depot established

2007

362 Industrial Park Drive is the new home with over 200,000 square feet of factory space.

2007

First Automotive Interiors Sewing Equipment Catalog

2010

In 2010, the Chieftain was traded in for a Cessna 414. This expanded the travel capabilities because of a pressurized cabin and to be able to fly above the weather to facilitate the servicing of mattress industry customers.

2010

“Priceless Plane Products” expands line of products by partnering with Red Box Power Equipment

2013

Priceless Aviation Products trademarked and replaces Priceless Plane Products

2016

Annex added to the 362 building making the square footage 250,000.

2016

HSM Purchases Atlanta Attachment Company making it the fourth operating subsidiary and maintains its Lawrenceville, Georgia facility. AAC to continue its industry status in all subsidiaries of the company and will grow all subsidiaries in the global economy.

HSM is a privately owned holding company based in Hickory, North Carolina, that specializes, through its subsidiaries, in the manufacture of components for the furniture, bedding, transportation, packaging, and healthcare industries; and the design and construction of automated production machinery for the bedding apparel, aerospace, and other industries.

2016

Elvin C. Price retires after 48 years of dedication to building an industry-leading global manufacturing business.

2017

First Furniture Industry Catalog

2017

AAC & HSM presented their products together for the first time at the HFMSE Expo (Home Furnishings Manufacturing Solutions Expo)

2018

As of 2018, AAC’s participation in trade shows has grown exponentially with expos all over the globe, such as:

  • USA
  • Germany
  • China
  • Japan
  • India

AAC also participates in expos for different industries such as:

  • Apparel
  • Aviation
  • Furniture
  • Mattress
  • Contract Manufacturing
2019

50th Anniversary!
1969 to 2019

2021

After 25 years, AAC’ s Serial Bus Control System was upgraded to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, where interconnectivity, smart automation, and cloud-based real-time data have become the industry standard.