Story of YoungAn
YoungAn Hat is a global leader in hat manufacturing and sales, established in 1959.
Headquartered in Korea, YoungAn Hat coordinates and supports global production, sales, and design through its network of international corporations. Since its founding in 1959, the company has expanded its presence worldwide, continually driving growth.
YoungAn Hat operates 11 manufacturing plants, including 2 in the United States, 1 in Mexico, 2 in China, 2 in Sri Lanka, 2 in Bangladesh, 1 in Vietnam, and 1 in Indonesia.
Over the past 62 years, Young An Hat has produced more than 1.2 billion hats and, through OEM production across various regions, currently sells over 100 million hats annually.
History
1959 – 1969
YoungAn Hat Shop was established in 1959, expanding with additional equipment and staff, and successfully produced Korea's first domestic Panama hat in 1962. By 1969, the company had changed its name to YoungAn Hat Company and began exporting to the US.
1970 – 1979
Development and attachment of proprietary trademark (YoungAn)
1980 – 1989
YoungAn Hat Co., Ltd. relocated its headquarters to Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, in 1980 and was formally established in 1984, marking a significant expansion. Between 1985 and 1988, the company diversified its production base by opening factories in Costa Rica, the US, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, while also expanding its sales network by establishing a Canadian sales corporation.
1990 - 1999
In 1990, YoungAn Hat Co., Ltd. established a US sales corporation and a joint venture with Outdoor Cap. By 1993, sales had surpassed $100 million, and the company acquired and entered up a joint venture with Dorfman Pacific.
2000 – 2009
YoungAn Hat Co., Ltd. was recognized as a producer of world-class products by the Korean government, achieving the number one market share. In 2006, the company expanded its production capabilities by opening a factory in Vietnam.
2010 – Now
In 2010, A second factory was opened in Bangladesh, followed by a new factory in Sri Lanka in 2016 specializing in felt and straw hats. Between 2017 and 2018, the company formed a joint venture in China, and established sales corporations in Australia and Singapore.
