New Era will manufacture NFL caps in WNY

During a visit to Derby, NY, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today joined New Era’s President and CEO, Chris Koch, to announce that New Era will begin manufacturing its first significant run of National Football League fan hats, starting at the end of this month.

According to Schumer, this new, significant production line will keep the roughly 250 employees at the Derby plant working year round.

“New Era has conquered the diamond, and now they’re ready for the gridiron. This production line will usher in a new era for the company – and it is a touchdown for the 250 local workers as well as the entire Western NY regional economy,” said Senator Schumer. “For years I’ve been a tireless advocate for keeping NFL football here in Western New York, and the decision to manufacture NFL caps here is yet another win that came from Buffalo’s economic revitalization playbook. Today’s announcement guarantees that for these caps, ‘Made in America’ means ‘Made in Western New York.’”

The announcement comes just weeks after Buffalo-based New Era bought the naming rights to the Buffalo Bills’ stadium. Schumer stood alongside New Era CEO Chris Koch, who expressed New Era’s strong commitment to Western New York and Buffalo. On August 18, it was announced that the Bills’ stadium in Orchard Park would be renamed “New Era Field” in recognition of New Era’s strong global reputation and local roots.

Founded in 1920, New Era started producing caps at the Derby plant in 1958. The Derby facility served as the company’s headquarters until 2006, when the corporate headquarters moved to downtown Buffalo.