Questions for hatters or US hat manufacturers about current business

[Yohanes]

I'm very interested to know your view / opinion on how you handle competition with ... China.

I don't know, have the companies like Stetson, Bailey, Dorfman, Capas, Golden Gate, Broner, New York Hat Co, Kangol, etc. moved their production to China as well?

For custom hatters, how do you face this tough competition, not to mention that hat wearing is still not like what it used to be?

Well, actually, if it's about business competition we all are facing hard game against China, but since this is hat forum, let's limit the discussion to hat business...

 

[carter]

The Stetson Hat Factory is located in Garland, TX. They make all their own hats.

 

[Art Fawcett]

Yohanes, there ARE some companies that have chosen to have the Chinese make hats for them ( in fact I was told that Dorfman Pacific is owned by a Chinese firm) and they are buying much of the available fur but most of that at the moment is for the fashion industry (clothing) not hats. It still has the effect of driving up prices for raw materials which are reflected in blank body prices, but I personally don't feel the competition. It will be fealt more in the "mass market" area of the hat world. I personally survive in the quality arena, not the Walmart arena. I don't believe any factory of size can compete on quality issues with the small , one man, or "mom & pop" hatters that produce low volume, high quality.
That said, most American hat companies still produce their own bodies or buy from eastern Europe but I assume over time that will change.

 

[beatola]

Dorfman Pacific is owned by a Korean Businessman.

Their Hats are mostly made in China, Singapore, and Korea.

 

[Art Fawcett]

Thanks Beatola, I'm pretty fuzzy on who owns what. I was pretty sure their hats were made in Asia but ownership is often hard to keep up with for me. I don't live in that world.

 

[JerseyJones]

Hey there,

Just to chime in on the manufacturing side, since my hats are built up at a factory, my factory is a USA local outfit with whom I have a great relationship.

My buildup cost, I am sure, is more than if I went overseas with it, but then I would lose my ability to supervise what's being done here. I am content to lose a buck or two to ensure that I am giving my customers what they pay for.

I salute my fellow full custom makers like Art, Steve at Adventurebilt and JP for keeping the hand built tradition alive and well. In my own way and in my own market segment, I am trying to do the same thing.

As always, if you have questions about Camptown's stuff, drop me a line !

Cheers,
Ken

 

[HungaryTom]

Question to a question

Are there Chinese custom hatters?
In Hong Kong and Taiwan for example?
Made in China - the Great Walls was also 'Made in China' and the Silk Road was built to convey 'Made in China' things to the 'West' 2000+ years ago.
The first Chinese astronaut was also sitting in a thing 'Made in China' and landed safe.

***
Cheap mass-ware: I heard at a Budapest made-to-measure shoes workshop that they had Chinese businessmen embarking from a Daimler to purchase their shoes - most probably an importer of cheap mass ware.
Which won't bother the Hungarian quality shoemakers. - Only their Chinese equivalents.
So once more again: Are there custom hatters in China?

Regards:

Tom

 

[HDRnR]

This board is probably the wrong place to ask since we are all obsessed with quality. Which is also why we are obsessed with vintage or the custom makers on this board. The crap from China is not something we would have any interest in.

 

[Undertow]

This board is probably the wrong place to ask since we are all obsessed with quality. Which is also why we are obsessed with vintage or the custom makers on this board. The crap from China is not something we would have any interest in.

Well...I wouldn't say that necessarily. Granted, I'm interested in quality as much as the next guy; I only own one wool felt hat and it's the last one I'll purchase - especially after consulting the board (which by the way, the pics of my hats I'd posted a while ago...the only wool felt was the gray porkpie, the other two I wasn't sure about are cheap fur felt...but fur nonetheless). And I really do see your point, HDRnR.

Yet, I think this topic is at least of some interest to us just as a matter of practice. If China begins pumping out hats, even low quality wool felts for $2 a pop, it would likely affect our overall market in the States.

Moreover, I'm sure there are some people who at least lurk on the board that might end up purchasing some cheap cotton $10 Wal-Mart China-made stingy brim; even if it's their breakthrough into the world of hats. I'm sure we all pray for their poor souls (especially if they think they have a nice hat in hand!) but it's still a hat in the ballcap world.

 

[Yohanes]

Very nice replies. So if my conclusion is right, it's actually about the same thing with other products beside hats. If it's the matter of mass product, you're gonna face a severe beating in competing with China. But if your product is special, custom or "tailor-made" you still have a chance.

However, I think, if properly taught, the Chinese producers can also produce hat with the same quality as custom hatters. That goes the same with tailored suit and other things. But since so far customizing require intensive personal communications in person with the customer, yeah, US custom hatters still ahead There's no way US customer want to go to China just to make a specific hat for personal use.

But I believe for hat manufacturers they'd better thinking hard about strategy to compete with China, since it's already in mass market field. In other thread it's mentioned that Stetson quality now is far below what it's used to be.

On the other hand, I believe plenty of praise have been given to Jaxon hats, which I believe is .. made in China. I might be wrong though...

That's my opinion... would be glad to hear more views...

 

[thefedorastore]

Factory Hats

The Majority of Stetson straw dress and panama hats are made in Mexico, not the USA. Dorfman pacific used to have Bollman Hats (Bailey) make their Indiana Jones and Stacy Adams lines, along with many other of their products.... but they are now being built in China. The Kangol line is made all over the world. However, if you, like I, wish to purchase made in the USA, Beaver Brand, Bailey and Stetson are the way to go. Beaver Brand makes all of their hats in New Haven, MO. The company has been around since 1860, changing hands various times throughout it's history. A very nice quality 'factory' hat, Beaver Brand. As always, I am quick to add that no factory hat comes close in quality to the 'bespoke' hats our custom hatters make.