Knit-Rite

What Knit-Rite does

Knit-Rite is a US manufacturer of medical textiles founded in 1923 in Kansas City by Billy Isle, an amputee, and his wife Anna, who began knitting prosthetic socks for World War I amputees. Today the company designs, manufactures, and markets a portfolio spanning five product categories: prosthetics (socks, shrinkers, suspension/donning), orthotics (AFO/KAFO interfaces, torso interfaces, cranial protection), compression therapy (under the Therafirm sub-brand), diabetic and sensitivity products (under the SmartKnit family), and fabrication/casting supplies. The company's manufacturing footprint is entirely US-based, with the headquarters and main plant in Kansas City, Kansas and a state-of-the-art compression facility in Hamlet, North Carolina opened in 2013.

The company's core technology is a patented seamless knitting process (US Patent No. 6,158,253) that produces cocoon-like socks eliminating seams, wrinkles, and pressure points for wearers with amputations, braces, diabetes, or sensory sensitivities. Supporting patents cover Soft-Sock prosthetic interfaces (US 7,363,778) and Compressogrip tubular compression shrinkers (US 7,575,561). Knit-Rite incorporates specialty fibers including Ionic+ silver-based antimicrobial, CoolMax moisture-wicking, and core-spun yarns combining performance fibers with stretch materials. Sub-brands (SmartKnit, SmartKnitKIDS, Therafirm, Torso-Interface, Compressogrip, Soft-Sock, Liner-Liner) target distinct clinical and consumer use cases including pediatric autism/ADHD sensory sensitivity, athletic compression, and post-amputation edema management.

Knit-Rite generates revenue through one-time sales of medical textile products distributed across three channels: direct-to-consumer e-commerce via ShopThuasne.com, wholesale accounts for healthcare providers and retailers through wholesale.therafirm.com, and clinical referral through the Knit-Rite Connect program where clinicians issue 10% patient discount coupons. Pricing is quote-based for wholesale and structured as retail SKUs for consumer. Since January 2021, Knit-Rite operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of France's Thuasne Group and serves as Thuasne's USA headquarters, expanding product reach into global markets under Thuasne's international distribution.

Name

Knit-Rite

Legal name

Knit-Rite, LLC

Website

https://knitrite.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1923

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Knit-Rite is a US manufacturer of medical textiles—prosthetics, orthotics, compression, and diabetic/sensitivity products—founded in Kansas City in 1923. Owned by France's Thuasne Group since 2021, it distributes through wholesale, clinician referral, and direct e-commerce channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Medical Textiles

NAICS

Apparel Knitting Mills (3151), Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (3159)

SIC

Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842), Knitting Mills (2250)

akta.pro primary industry

Prosthetic Components & Rehabilitation Accessories (Liners, Feet, Knees, Sockets) (HLAHAMAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Compression Therapy for Venous/Lymphedema (Bandages, Wraps, Garments) (HLAHALAF), Foot Care & Orthotics OTC (Corn/Callus Care, Insoles, Athlete’s Foot Treatments) (CRADAMAL)

Keywords

• Medical textiles
• Prosthetic socks
• Orthotic interfaces
• Compression hosiery
• Diabetic socks

Headquarters

HQ city

Kansas City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Medical Textile Product Sales: Knit-Rite generates revenue through the manufacture and sale of medical textile products including prosthetic socks, orthotic interfaces, compression garments, and diabetic/sensitivity socks. Products are sold through direct e-commerce (ShopThuasne.com), wholesale accounts, and clinical distribution channels.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Knit-Rite designs, manufactures, and markets innovative medical textile products for amputees, orthotic patients, individuals with diabetes or sensitive feet, and patients requiring compression therapy. Its portfolio spans prosthetic socks and interfaces (Soft-Sock, Liner-Liner, X-Wool, Compressogrip shrinkers), orthotic interfaces (SmartKnit AFO/KAFO socks, Torso-Interface, Cranial Protection), the Therafirm gradient compression hosiery line, and SmartKnit seamless diabetic and sensory sensitivity socks. Products are sold direct-to-consumer via ShopThuasne.com, through wholesale channels, and via clinical referrals.

Product overview

Knit-Rite is a medical textile manufacturer specializing in prosthetics, orthotics, compression therapy, and diabetic/sensitivity products. The product portfolio is organized into five main categories: (1) Prosthetics including prosthetic socks (Soft-Sock, Liner-Liner, X-Wool, Super Sock), sheaths, shrinkers (Compressogrip, 4-Way Stretch), and suspension/donning products (Power Belt, Cool-Flex); (2) Orthotics including SmartKnit seamless AFO/KAFO socks, Torso-Interface for spinal orthoses, Cranial Protection, and compression interfaces; (3) Compression including the Therafirm sub-brand with Ease, Core-Spun, Core-Sport, TheraSport, and Preggers maternity lines; (4) Diabetic + Sensitivity including SmartKnit, SmartKnitKIDS, SmartKnitACTIVE, and SmartKnit Boot Socks; (5) Fabrication + Casting including vacuum forming tubing/hosiery and stockinette. The company is a brand of Thuasne Group and operates facilities in Kansas City, Kansas and Hamlet, North Carolina.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SmartKnit: Seamless diabetic and sensitivity socks made using a cocoon-like knitting process that eliminates irritating seams
• SmartKnitKIDS
• Therafirm
• Torso-Interface
• Compressogrip
• Soft-Sock
• Liner-Liner

Products and services

• Soft-Sock Prosthetic sock with non-roll top and optional reinforced distal hole, featuring moisture-wicking properties and Ionic+ antimicrobial technology for odor prevention; designed for amputees wearing prosthetic limbs.
• Liner-Liner Ultra-thin prosthetic sock designed to be worn under suspension liners next to the skin to relieve skin shear irritations and improve comfort with liner interfaces.
• X-Wool Thick virgin wool prosthetic sock with fleeced lining for cushioning, featuring Ionic+ antimicrobial and thermal-regulating properties.
• Standard Symes Prosthetic sock providing a well-fitting solution for Symes-level amputees, available in special sizes.
• Hip Disarticulation Sock Seamless prosthetic sock designed for hip disarticulation amputees, available in Poly/Ionic+ and Soft-Sock fabric with special features including hemi-pelvectomy and fly openings.
• Foot Shell Sock Abrasion-resistant prosthetic sock with Dyneema Core-Spun fibers and reinforced heel/toe for long-wear resistance under foot shells.
• Compressogrip Below Knee Shrinker Original tubular compression prosthetic shrinker for edema control and prevention following amputation surgery, providing volumetric maintenance and hypertrophic scarring minimization.
• Power Belt Auxiliary suspension belt with patented dynamic material for prosthetic attachment, designed for transverse orientation with breathable, latex-free construction.
• SmartKnit AFO + KAFO Socks Seamless, heel-less orthotic interface socks for Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs) and Knee Ankle Foot Orthoses (KAFOs), manufactured under patented SmartKnit cocoon-style seamless knitting technology.
• Torso-Interface Seamless interface for spinal orthoses and body jackets, providing cushioning, moisture wicking, and antimicrobial properties to protect skin under scoliosis and other spinal bracing.
• Cranial Protection Cranial interfaces for children wearing orthoses to treat Positional Plagiocephaly, including Mullet Cranial Interface with Velcro chin closure and Balaclava scanning interfaces.
• Hip Orthosis Liner Acrylic/LYCRA orthosis liner for hip orthoses with wicking effect and stretch for easy positioning.
• SmartKnit Seamless SMO Interface Socks Super soft seamless socks for children with low profile bracing (SMOs and UCBLs), reducing pressure and increasing compliance.
• Therafirm Compression Products True gradient compression hosiery delivering controlled pressure greatest at the ankle gradually decreasing toward the top, available in Ease, Core-Spun, Core-Sport, TheraSport athletic, and Preggers maternity lines.
• SmartKnit Seamless diabetic socks made using a cocoon-spinning knitting process that eliminates irritating seams for those with diabetes, arthritis, or sensitive feet.
• SmartKnitKIDS Seamless sensitivity products for children with autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, and other sensitivities, including socks, undergarments, and compression garments with deep pressure support.
• SmartKnitACTIVE Seamless running socks designed for athletes to help prevent blisters, featuring CoolMax and Ionic+ moisture-wicking fibers.
• SmartKnit Boot Socks Seamless boot socks designed for hikers, workers, and outdoor enthusiasts, featuring anti-microbial moisture-wicking fibers and a non-binding Halo Top.
• Cast-Rite Fracture Cast Sock Fashion-knitted fracture cast sock with heel for better fit, designed for use with most plastic and plaster casting materials.
• Nylon Vacuum Forming Tubing Vacuum forming tubing for thermoforming and laminating procedures, made from 100% stretch nylon in various lengths.
• Standard Rib-Knit Stockinette 100% cotton stockinette for casting and fabrication applications.
• SmartKnit Seamless Walker Boot Sock Seamless boot interface for walking boot environments with Ionic+ antimicrobial fibers and a heel pocket design.
• SmartKnit Partial Foot Sock Seamless prosthetic sock for partial foot amputees with no heel for custom fit, made with CoolMax/LYCRA fibers.
• SmartKnit Seamless Big Toe Socks Seamless socks designed to accommodate AFO toe straps with wrinkle-free construction.

Quantifiable outcome

• Patient compliance improved through comfortable, seamless product design
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TherafirmcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2000Therafirm, a compression hosiery manufacturer, was acquired by Knit-Rite in 2000. Therafirm has roots dating back to the 1950s when Parke-Davis developed early gradient compression stockings. Therafirm originally manufactured in Asheboro, NC, then Ellerbe, NC before building a state-of-the-art facility in Hamlet, NC in 2013. The acquisition expanded Knit-Rite into the compression market segment.
• Cross-Lines Community OutreachminorOthersLocal community organization helping people in the Kansas City area affected by poverty. Knit-Rite participates in volunteer activities including serving meals, internal fundraisers for the Cross-Lines Christmas store, and community support initiatives.
• Steps of FaithminorOthersOrganization providing prosthetic limbs to amputees who cannot afford them. Knit-Rite supports Steps of Faith through community outreach as part of their mission to improve lives of others.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• WillowWood (Ohio Willow Wood): U.S. manufacturer of prosthetic liners, socks and interfaces; directly overlaps with Knit-Rite's core prosthetic sock and interface business (Knit-Rite even acquired Sterling's prosthetic sock division from Ohio Willow Wood).
• SIGVARIS Group: Global maker of medical gradient-compression hosiery for venous disease and lymphedema, directly competing with Knit-Rite's Therafirm compression line.
• Juzo (Julius Zorn): Manufacturer of compression garments and prosthetic shrinkers/liners, overlapping both Knit-Rite's Compressogrip and Therafirm categories.
• ALPS South: U.S. maker of prosthetic liners, socks and gel interfaces serving amputees, closely comparable to Knit-Rite's prosthetic interface offering.

Broad incumbents

• medi GmbH: Large medical-device firm producing compression therapy, orthotic bracing and prosthetic liners; overlaps Knit-Rite's categories but across a much wider global portfolio.
• Ossur: Global prosthetics and orthotics leader whose liners, sleeves and interfaces compete with Knit-Rite's prosthetic and orthotic textile products at far greater scale.
• Ottobock: Global prosthetics/orthotics manufacturer offering liners, socks and interface products that overlap Knit-Rite's O&P textile lines within a broad device portfolio.
• JOBST (Essity): Established compression hosiery and lymphedema garment brand directly competing with Therafirm compression, backed by a large parent (Essity/BSN).
• Bauerfeind: German manufacturer of medical compression and orthotic supports; overlaps Knit-Rite's compression and orthotic-interface categories across a broader medical portfolio.

Emerging players

• Royal Knit: Specialty manufacturer of prosthetic socks and interfaces for amputees, a smaller direct competitor in Knit-Rite's core prosthetic sock niche.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/knitrite
• Facebookfacebook.com/knitrite

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Knit-Rite