American Hat Makers
American Hat Makers is a United States hat company founded in 1972 and based in Watsonville, California. It makes hats, including leather and western styles, sold through retailers and distributors at home and abroad.
| Founded | 1972 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Watsonville, California |
| Product | Hats |
| Export markets | Japan, China, Tibet |
| Website | americanhatmakers.com |
What is American Hat Makers?
American Hat Makers is a family-run hat company from Watsonville, California. Founded in 1972, it specialises in hats, with styles that range from leather and western designs to outdoor hats, and it is carried by western and outdoor outfitters in the United States.
History
The business has been run within the founding family, with the founder's son, Garth Watrous, managing international sales. As the company looked beyond the domestic market, it used the U.S. Commercial Service's Gold Key programme to find distributors in Japan and China.
Distribution
The company sells through distributors and retailers. Its export markets have included:
- Japan
- Southern China
- Tibet, where its distributor runs several retail locations
In the United States, its hats are stocked by specialist retailers of western and outdoor goods.
Why it matters
American Hat Makers is an example of a small American accessories manufacturer that has built export business in Asia through distributor partnerships, keeping a niche product category such as western hats relevant to international buyers.
Frequently asked questions
Where is American Hat Makers based?
American Hat Makers is based in Watsonville, California, in the United States.
When was American Hat Makers founded?
American Hat Makers was founded in 1972 and has remained a family business.