Carhartt was established in 1889 in Detroit, USA. However, in the late 1990s, the company shifted much of its manufacturing and finishing operations to Mexico and other countries. This shift raises an important question for American buyers today: is Carhartt made in USA, and does a “Made in USA” label truly mean the product was manufactured domestically?
To clear up the confusion, we created this detailed guide explaining is Carhartt made in USA today. Also, which Carhartt products are still manufactured domestically, and which of them are produced overseas and sold in the United States.
Is Carhartt Made in America?
Some Carhartt products are still made in the United States, but the majority are manufactured overseas. Today, Carhartt operates three manufacturing facilities in Kentucky and Tennessee, which collectively employ around 2,700 American workers. However, American made Carhartt products at these facilities account for only about 2% of Carhartt’s total product sales, making domestic production a small part of its overall profit.
Despite intense global competition, rising production costs, and lower sales volumes from U.S.-based factories, Carhartt continues to invest in American manufacturing units.
The company spends millions of dollars each year to keep these facilities operating, support local workers, and compete with lower-cost international manufacturers. This signals that Carhartt believes “Made in USA” products is a value-driven choice rather than purely an economic one.
Where Is Carhartt Manufactured?
Carhartt operates factories across the globe. The company chooses manufacturing locations based on factors such as production cost, specialized skills required, and local demand for specific products. Here are the names of countries where Carhartt made most of their products:
United States: Kentucky hosts two Carhartt factories. Workers there make the famous duck canvas dungarees. Tennessee has one factory that produces Carhartt jackets and Carhartt coats. These U.S. factories handle heavy-duty items that are more cost-effective to produce domestically than overseas.
Mexico: Most of Carhartt’s clothing is made in Mexico, which serves as the company’s largest manufacturing hub. Factories there produce Carhartt hoodies, Carhartt pants, Carhartt jackets and many basic items. Over the past 20 years, the company has built several large facilities across Mexico to meet growing demand.
Vietnam: Vietnamese factories produce a huge amount of Carhartt products. Workers there make Carhartt shirts, technical outdoor gear, and Carhartt pants. The country became one of Carhartt’s main production centers.
China: China makes various Carhartt items including Carhartt bags, accessories, and some clothing lines. Several factories across China works with the company and only make WIP (work in progress) products.
Bangladesh: Bangladesh produces Carhartt’s budget-friendly items and is one of the main locations for low-cost production. Carhartt factories in Bangladesh manufacture basic Carhartt shirts and simple Carhartt pants.
Other Countries where is Carhartt made: Guatemala, India, and Cambodia also make Carhartt products. The company works with factories in these nations for specific product lines.
Why All Carhartt Products Are Not Made in America
Just after 20 years of making durable workwear in USA, Carhartt started gaining popularity worldwide. To meet growing demand, in 1910, the company decided to go worldwide and opened factories in Walkerville (Ontario), Toronto, Vancouver, Liverpool, and Paris.
Through these expansions, Carhartt went through recessions, difficult economic periods, and even World War I and II. During the wars, six of its facilities were devoted to U.S. government contracts to manufacture military products. Despite this, the company never abandoned its main manufacturing hub.
By the late 1990s, Carhartt’s popularity also surged in other countries. As the brand appeared more frequently in pop culture, the global demand increased, especially in Europe and Asia. To reduce operating costs, Carhartt shifted much of its production to other countries. This allowed the company to manufacture most of its products closer to high-demand regions.
What Carhartt Products Are Made in USA?
Carhartt manufactures some “Made in USA” garments in Kentucky and Tennessee. Here are some of the most popular Carhartt – made in USA items that organizations use for employee giveaways and promo gifts.
Quilted Flannel Lined Duck Active Jacket
The Carhartt Quilted Flannel Lined Duck Active Jacket is a heavyweight insulated work jacket. This Carhartt work jackets is designed for long hours on farms and job sites. It features a quilted flannel lining, an attached hood, and rib-knit cuffs, which provide warmth, protection, and durability.
Carhartt Acrylic Watch Hat
Back in the 1980s, Carhartt introduced these beanies for workers in cold regions. Today, the Carhartt Acrylic Watch Hat is one of the most recognizable and consistently produced accessories. It is made from acrylic yarn, which makes it warm and stretchable.
Washed Duck Work Dungaree
Washed-Duck Work Dungaree are based on Carhartt’s early 20th-century dungaree and chore pants design. But they are less stiff because they are made from 100% cotton washed duck canvas. Also, due to cotton fabric, they are quite warm and slightly stretchable.
The loose fit makes them suitable for workers in farming, job sites, and warehousing environments. Organizations also choose these work pants for everyday work use.
Where to Find USA-Made Carhartt Products
The official Carhartt website allows you to filter products by country of origin. Visit the workwear section and look for the filter options. Selecting “Made in USA” will display only products that are manufactured in the United States.
In addition, you can order USA-made Carhartt products from ApparelnBags with discounts of up to 50%. This makes it easier to get high-quality, domestically manufactured Carhartt jackets, Carhartt pants, and other Carhartt at a more affordable price.
Another advantage of choosing us is that we offer customization options on Carhartt apparel. You can add your logo to create branded promotional gifts, or personalize employee uniforms that stands out.
