A Kickstarter for American jobs and kick ass hats. Do it!

[NightWatcher]

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1934510363/kangol-504-bring-jobs-to-america-with-bollman-hat

We’re looking for your help us bring the historic machinery that has been used to make the Kangol 504 and other styles since the start of Kangol to the states and create new American jobs.

The Bollman Hat Company is the oldest hat maker in America dating back to 1868. We are employee-owned and pay our employee-owners a living wage. In 2001, Bollman Hat Company acquired the global license to design, produce, and distribute Kangol headwear. By the time Bollman Hat Company had acquired the license, the decision had already been made by the previous ownership to move all the manufacturing to a factory in China which was created in the mid-1990s to stay competitive. The factory in China was purchased in 2006 by a Chinese hat maker who has now decided to exit due to rising labor costs in Southern China. Since acquiring the Kangol license, Bollman Hat Company made several Kangol straw, wool felt, and fur felt styles in their factory in Pennsylvania, but until now, did not make knitted and blocked hats which are the most iconic Kangol styles.

The Wool 504 is the iconic, original Kangol® Cap. First introduced in 1954, the 504 cap gets its name from the block number that it is made on. The 100% seamless wool cap is the ultimate cap for comfort and style and now for the first time ever Made In The USA.

America became a world leader because of its manufacturing strength and the middle class built by this strength. Over the past 50 years America has lost its title of the world manufacturing leader with many of the jobs going overseas to China, India, and Bangladesh. That doesn’t mean that great products can’t or shouldn’t be made here and Bollman Hat Company is a testament to that. Aside from being America’s oldest hat maker and nearly 150 years old, Bollman Hat Company is also the founding member of American Made Matters, a community of US Makers with a focus on bringing attention to the importance of making and buying American products. Bollman Hat Company and American Made Matters believe that if it can be made here, it should be made here! The beloved Kangol 504 is the next piece in that puzzle.

They've got some cool thank you gift for your support, so go do it. Bring jobs to the US and get a sweet hat (or other gift)

[malthaussen]

1. Good grief, now I'm flashing on Thomas Costain

(The protagonist of The Silver Chalice wants to restore the greatness of his family's hat factory)

-- Mal