Missouri Flag Manufacturer Prepares for 250th Anniversary
Kansas City, Missouri – Independence Day and the 250th anniversary of America are just around the corner, and a Missouri company is gearing up to make its mark in history.
Alliance Materials, located in Kansas City, has been in the flag manufacturing business since 1951. The company produces about 1,000 flags daily, supplying them for military funerals, government buildings, and patriotic households across the country.
“It’s like our Christmas,” says Tyler Young, president of Alliance Materials. “We prepare months ahead, building up our inventory because we expect a surge of patriotism during the holiday weekends.”
Flags at the Heart of Patriotism
As the largest vertically integrated flag manufacturer in the U.S., Alliance produces over 300,000 flags each year, serving federal agencies like the U.S. Senate and the Department of Defense.
“We make sure each flag is federal-compliant,” Young explains. “That entails sourcing everything from cotton seeds to dyed fabrics right here in America. No shortcuts, just quality. It’s truly the best flag to display at your home.”
Every flag begins with American cotton or nylon, which is dyed, rolled, and cut into stripes. These pieces are sewn together in Kansas City and then adorned with an embroidered star field crafted in Louisiana. Each flag undergoes thorough inspection and preparation before completion.
“From start to finish, a flag might take just a few hours to make,” Young remarks. “But its importance will last a lifetime.”
For many of those working at Alliance, the job holds deep personal significance.
Personal Connections to Service
“These people put in a tremendous amount of effort,” notes Terry Walker, a mechanical engineer who’s been with the company for years. “Every fallen veteran receives one of these flags. It’s a privilege to be part of this process.”
Young feels the weight of this responsibility deeply. “Next time someone sees one of our flags, it could be displayed at a veteran’s memorial. It has to be perfect. We owe that respect to the service members and their families.”
As the United States approaches its Semiquincentennial in 2026, Alliance is preparing for what could be the largest flag display in the nation’s history.
“We’re starting our marketing strategy and increasing our inventory this fall,” says Young. “We want to be ready for everyone—from landlords wanting to show their pride to government agencies organizing ceremonies. We’re here for them.”
Interestingly, about 94% of the American flags sold in the U.S. are manufactured domestically, a fact Young takes pride in, especially amid recent tariffs impacting global supply chains.
“While other suppliers struggled with tariffs, we didn’t. It’s nice to give customers a call and say, ‘This flag comes from an American manufacturer that makes American-made products,'” he adds.
Flags at Alliance come in various sizes, from 2 feet by 3 feet to 10 feet by 15 feet, all meeting federal standards for stitching, star size, and durability, ready to be displayed anywhere from front yards to Capitol steps.
“The flag isn’t just a product,” Young emphasizes. “It’s a symbol of our nation’s history and represents all those who contribute to the fabric of this country.”
