New Era hats are made mostly overseas in China and Vietnam, though the official on field caps worn by MLB players are made in Miami, Florida.
The brand is known for its 59FIFTY fitted caps and holds official headwear licenses with MLB, the NFL, the NBA, and the NHL.
New Era Cap Company is largely owned by the founding Koch family, with private equity firm ACON Investments holding a significant minority stake.
Knowing where New Era hats are made helps shoppers understand why on field caps carry a different price and feel than retail versions of the same design.
This article covers New Era’s manufacturing locations, its ownership, and how it compares with other major headwear brands.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Makes New Era Hats?
New Era Cap Company designs and manufactures its own headwear rather than licensing its name to a third party maker.
The company was founded in Buffalo, New York in 1920 by German immigrant Ehrhardt Koch, and it remains headquartered in Buffalo today.
New Era is still led by the Koch family, with fourth generation CEO Chris Koch overseeing the company alongside minority investor ACON Investments.
Where Are New Era Hats Made?
Most retail caps sold to consumers are manufactured overseas at independently owned factories in China and Vietnam, with a small amount from Taiwan and Bangladesh.
New Era’s contract with Major League Baseball requires that official on field caps worn by players be made in the United States, and those caps come from a company facility in Miami, Florida.
Fewer than 3 percent of the more than 65 million hats New Era produces each year are made domestically, with the rest manufactured overseas.
New Era previously operated a large factory in Derby, New York, which closed in 2018 as the company shifted most production abroad.
Why Do MLB On Field Caps Have to Be Made in the USA?
Major League Baseball’s licensing agreement with New Era requires domestic production for the exact caps worn on the field during games.
These on field caps use different materials than most retail versions, which is why fans sometimes notice a difference in feel between a game worn style cap and a standard fan cap.
Retail replica caps sold in stores, even those styled after the on field version, are typically manufactured overseas rather than in the Miami facility.
How Did New Era Get Its Start?
New Era began in 1920 when Ehrhardt Koch borrowed money from his sister to start a small fashion cap business in Buffalo.
The company shifted toward baseball caps in the early 1930s, producing its first professional cap for the Cleveland team’s uniforms in 1934.
New Era became MLB’s exclusive on field cap supplier in 1993 and later added exclusive sideline and on court rights with the NFL and NBA.
New Era vs Carhartt: How Do Their Manufacturing Footprints Compare?
New Era and Carhartt are both heritage American brands, but their manufacturing footprints have diverged in recent decades.
Carhartt still operates multiple company owned factories across the United States, alongside overseas production for a portion of its catalog.
New Era has moved almost entirely to overseas manufacturing, preserving only a small, contractually required domestic operation for MLB’s official caps.
Who Owns New Era Today?
New Era remains privately controlled by the founding Koch family, now in its fourth generation of leadership under CEO Chris Koch.
Private equity firm ACON Investments holds a significant minority stake, and MLB, the NFL, and the NBA also hold small minority interests in the company.
For more on how other heritage American brands balance domestic and overseas manufacturing, see Where Is Carhartt Made.
Frequently Asked Questions About Where New Era Hats Are Made
Are New Era hats made in the USA?
Mostly no. Only the official MLB on field caps are made domestically in Miami, Florida. Most retail hats are made overseas in China and Vietnam.
Where are New Era hats made now?
Most New Era hats are made in China and Vietnam, with a small share manufactured in Taiwan and Bangladesh.
Who owns New Era Cap Company?
New Era is majority owned by the founding Koch family, with a minority stake held by ACON Investments.
Why are New Era MLB caps made in Miami?
New Era’s contract with Major League Baseball requires the official on field caps to be manufactured in the United States, and that production takes place in Miami, Florida.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.