Wrangler jeans are made by Kontoor Brands, Inc., an American publicly traded company headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, that was spun off from VF Corporation in May 2019 and also owns the Lee jeans brand.
Wrangler is known for its association with Western culture, rodeo athletes, country music, and working cowboys, with a heritage since 1947 that has made it the jean of choice for riders, ranchers, and rural American buyers who need durable denim that moves with work and wears with a Western aesthetic.
Wrangler is owned by Kontoor Brands, Inc., a publicly traded company listed on the NYSE under ticker KTB, which operates Wrangler and Lee as its two flagship denim brands serving complementary market segments.
Knowing who makes Wrangler jeans helps buyers understand the dedicated denim brand company behind the product and how its ownership structure differs from the corporate heritage of its predecessors.
This article covers Wrangler’s founding, Kontoor Brands’ ownership, where Wrangler jeans are manufactured, the product range, and how Wrangler compares to Levi’s and Lee.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Owns Wrangler?
Wrangler is owned by Kontoor Brands, Inc., a publicly traded American apparel company formed when VF Corporation spun off its jeanswear brands in May 2019. Kontoor owns both Wrangler and Lee jeans, making it a focused denim company unlike its former parent VF Corporation, which owns a diverse portfolio of outdoor and lifestyle brands including The North Face, Timberland, and Vans.
Kontoor Brands is headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, the same city where Wrangler was founded. The company generates approximately $2.5 billion in annual revenue across both brands combined.
VF Corporation had owned Wrangler since 1986 when it acquired Blue Bell, Inc., the Greensboro-based company that had owned Wrangler since the brand’s early decades.
When Was Wrangler Founded?
Wrangler was founded in 1947 in Greensboro, North Carolina, by the Blue Bell Overall Company, which had been making work apparel since 1904. The Wrangler brand was created specifically for Western wear, with rodeo athletes as the target customer.
Wrangler partnered with rodeo icon Jim Shoulders in the 1950s and made a deliberate decision to design its Western jeans around the needs of rodeo competitors, resulting in a cut and construction specifically suited to riding. This association with professional rodeo athletes became a cornerstone of the brand’s authenticity credentials.
Wrangler has been the official jeans of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) for decades and sponsors numerous country music artists and Western lifestyle events, reinforcing its positioning in the American Western and country culture space.
Where Are Wrangler Jeans Made?
Wrangler jeans are manufactured through contracted factories primarily in Mexico, Bangladesh, Nicaragua, and other countries. Kontoor Brands does not own manufacturing facilities and produces through its global supplier network.
Wrangler has historically maintained a significant manufacturing presence in Mexico, particularly for its Western and cowboy-cut styles that remain core to the brand’s identity. Mexican production allows for competitive pricing while keeping manufacturing in a geographically proximate location for the North American market.
Some Wrangler products are made in other Asian countries depending on the product line and cost requirements. The country of origin is printed on the label inside each pair of jeans. The full lineup is at Wrangler’s official website.
What Products Does Wrangler Make?
Wrangler’s core product is its Western and cowboy-cut denim jeans. The 13MWZ is the brand’s iconic Western cowboy cut, the style worn by professional rodeo riders for decades with a higher rise, straight leg, and cut that works with Western boots.
The Wrangler Authentics line serves the everyday casual buyer with more contemporary fits including relaxed, regular, and athletic fits. The Riggs Workwear line covers work pants, shirts, and denim for tradespeople and outdoor workers who need durable apparel with functional features.
Wrangler also produces shirts, outerwear, and accessories under its Western lifestyle brand positioning, building a head-to-toe wardrobe for its core country and ranch customer.
Wrangler vs Levi’s vs Lee: Who Makes Each?
All three are American heritage denim brands but from different companies. Wrangler is owned by Kontoor Brands, an independent US company focused purely on denim. Levi’s is made by Levi Strauss & Co., a publicly traded company controlled by the Haas family. Lee is also owned by Kontoor Brands, making Wrangler and Lee siblings under the same parent company.
Wrangler targets Western, country, and ranch culture buyers. Lee targets the mainstream comfort-fit denim buyer. Levi’s targets a broader lifestyle audience across fashion, music, and youth culture. All three position themselves as authentic American denim, but each has a distinct cultural identity that appeals to different buyers.
Levi’s is the largest of the three by revenue by a substantial margin. Wrangler is typically second in the US market by volume, with particular strength in the South and rural markets where Western culture is most prominent.
Frequently Asked Questions About Where Wrangler Jeans Are Made
Are Wrangler jeans made in the USA?
Most Wrangler jeans are not made in the United States. Manufacturing takes place primarily in Mexico, Bangladesh, and Nicaragua through contracted factories. Kontoor Brands does not operate its own US garment manufacturing. The country of origin is printed on the inside label of each pair.
Who owns Wrangler jeans?
Wrangler is owned by Kontoor Brands, Inc., a publicly traded American company listed on the NYSE under ticker KTB. Kontoor was spun off from VF Corporation in May 2019 and owns both Wrangler and Lee jeans.
When was Wrangler founded?
Wrangler was founded in 1947 in Greensboro, North Carolina, by Blue Bell Overall Company, specifically to serve the Western and rodeo market. The brand’s name and design were created around the needs of cowboys and rodeo competitors.
Is Wrangler the same as Lee jeans?
Wrangler and Lee are separate brands that happen to be owned by the same parent company, Kontoor Brands. They have different heritage, different target customers, and different product designs. Wrangler focuses on Western and country culture. Lee focuses on mainstream fit and comfort. Both are managed as distinct brands within Kontoor’s portfolio.
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.