Carhartt is made in multiple countries, with most of its products manufactured in Mexico and Vietnam, while a smaller Union-Made line is still produced at factories in Kentucky and Tennessee in the United States.
Carhartt is known for its rugged, durable workwear including duck canvas jackets, overalls, and bib overalls that have been trusted by construction workers, farmers, and tradespeople for over 130 years.
Carhartt, Inc. is a privately held, family-owned American company founded in 1889 by Hamilton Carhartt in Detroit, Michigan, and currently headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, still owned by the descendants of its founder.
Knowing where Carhartt is made matters to buyers who specifically want American-made workwear, since the brand still maintains domestic production but only for a limited portion of its total product range.
This article covers where each category of Carhartt is made, which specific products carry the Union-Made in USA label, why Carhartt still manufactures domestically despite the cost, and how it compares to other workwear brands on American manufacturing.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Makes Carhartt and Who Owns the Brand?
Carhartt, Inc. is owned by the descendants of founder Hamilton Carhartt and remains one of the largest privately held apparel companies in the United States.
No private equity firm, conglomerate, or foreign entity owns Carhartt.
The founding family’s continued ownership has allowed the company to maintain its American factory investments even when doing so is not the most profitable short-term decision.
Carhartt was founded in 1889 in Detroit when Hamilton Carhartt set out to produce overalls specifically designed for railroad workers, emphasizing durability over fashion.
The company expanded across the U.S. during the early 20th century with mills in South Carolina and Georgia and sewing facilities in multiple cities before globalizing production in later decades.
Where Is Carhartt Made?
Mexico is Carhartt’s largest manufacturing hub by volume, producing the majority of its mainstream product line including hoodies, cargo pants, jackets, and basic workwear items.
Vietnam is the second largest production country, manufacturing shirts, technical outdoor gear, and pants.
Carhartt maintains four factories directly in the United States at locations in Madisonville, Irvine, and Edmonton, Kentucky, plus Camden, Tennessee.
These American plants employ approximately 2,700 workers and produce Carhartt’s Union-Made in USA line, which includes the iconic duck canvas dungarees, the Duck Active Jacket, and the Watch Hat.
India, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Bulgaria, Tunisia, and Myanmar also appear in Carhartt’s global supply chain through third-party manufacturing partners.
In total, Carhartt works with approximately 84 manufacturing partners across multiple countries, though it directly owns only its U.S. and Mexico plants.
Which Carhartt Products Are Made in the USA?
Carhartt’s Union-Made in USA line is produced at the Kentucky and Tennessee factories. These products are identifiable by the “Union-Made in USA” patch sewn into the garment and by the USA designation on the product page at carhartt.com.
Specific American-made Carhartt products include the Duck Bib Overalls, Duck Active Jacket, Watch Hat, and several other heavy canvas workwear items.
These represent approximately 2 percent of Carhartt’s total product sales, making the domestic line a small but genuinely meaningful portion of the brand’s output.
Carhartt explicitly states on its website that it spends millions of dollars annually to maintain its American factories despite the higher cost.
The company frames domestic manufacturing as a values-driven commitment rather than a purely economic calculation.
Why Does Carhartt Still Make Products in the USA?
Carhartt’s continued American manufacturing exists because of family ownership and brand values rather than cost optimization.
A publicly traded apparel company under pressure from institutional investors would almost certainly have closed the remaining U.S. factories long ago, as most competitors have done.
The Carhartt family has chosen to absorb the higher production costs because the Union-Made in USA line represents a genuine connection to the brand’s American workingman heritage.
Workers at the Kentucky and Tennessee plants are represented by UNITE HERE and the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees, making Carhartt one of the few major apparel brands still producing union-made garments in the United States.
Carhartt vs. Duluth Trading: Which Workwear Brand Is More American-Made?
Carhartt and Duluth Trading Company are the two most recognized American workwear brands, but neither manufactures primarily in the United States.
Carhartt produces its mainstream line in Mexico and Vietnam with a small Union-Made USA line from Kentucky and Tennessee.
Duluth Trading is headquartered in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, but manufactures virtually all of its products in Asia and Central America with no domestic factory presence.
On American manufacturing, Carhartt is clearly the stronger of the two, maintaining actual U.S. factory employment for its Union-Made line.
Duluth Trading does not have an equivalent domestic production program. For buyers who specifically want American-made workwear, Carhartt’s Union-Made line is the accessible option, while brands like Pointer Brand from LC King Manufacturing in Bristol, Tennessee offer a fully American-made alternative at higher price points. For related workwear origins, see Where Are Ariat Boots Made and Where Are Levis Made.
Frequently Asked Questions About Where Carhartt Is Made
Is any Carhartt still made in the USA?
Yes. Carhartt’s Union-Made in USA line is produced at four American factories in Kentucky and Tennessee, employing approximately 2,700 workers. These products carry a Union-Made in USA label and include items like duck canvas bib overalls, the Duck Active Jacket, and the Watch Hat. Most other Carhartt products are made in Mexico or Vietnam.
Is Carhartt a family-owned company?
Yes. Carhartt, Inc. is still owned by the descendants of founder Hamilton Carhartt and is one of the largest privately held apparel companies in the United States. The family’s continued ownership is widely credited as the reason Carhartt still maintains American manufacturing operations despite the cost disadvantage versus overseas production.
How do I find Carhartt products made in the USA?
On carhartt.com, filter products by the “Made in USA” label or look for the “Union-Made in USA” designation in the product description. In stores, look for the union label sewn inside the garment. The domestic products are concentrated in the heavy canvas duck clothing category and are generally priced higher than the equivalent imported products.
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.