American Needle

Founded in 1918, American Needle is a fourth-generation family-owned business that has evolved into a world leader in headwear manufacturing. Upon its inception on the North side of Chicago, the original factory hired skilled tailors, pattern makers, sewing machine operators and seamstresses. Their passion was making new hat styles for new markets. In 1946, American Needle approached the Chicago Cubs with the idea of selling fans baseball caps like the ones the players wore on the field. The Cubs agreed to the proposal, with the team’s ownership at the time noting, “Who would want to buy the hats that the players are wearing?” The first run of Cubs hats sold out in one day and a second batch sold even faster. Propelled by these successes, the company would soon begin supplying caps to all Major League teams nationwide and years later, the NFL and NHL. Today, American Needle continues to lead the industry with the design and manufacture of products that are admired by headwear connoisseurs around the world. American Needle holds licenses for major sports leagues and entertainment properties, as well as over 30 patents on design and manufacturing innovations. Throughout the company’s 100-plus year history, American Needle attributes its success to its core principles of craftsmanship, leadership, individuality and heritage, while continually inventing dynamic new headwear concepts and expressions.