New Era headwear

New Era Cap Company, established in 1920 by Ehrhardt Koch in Buffalo, New York, is the preeminent global headwear brand. Originally founded as the E. Koch Cap Company, it transitioned from producing Gatsby-style fashion caps to professional baseball headwear in the 1930s. The brand achieved legendary status with the 1954 introduction of the 59FIFTY fitted cap, which remains its most iconic silhouette.

Today, New Era is the exclusive on-field cap supplier for Major League Baseball (MLB) and holds exclusive rights for the NFL and NBA, making it a cornerstone of sports culture. While the brand originated in the United States and maintains its headquarters in Buffalo, its manufacturing is decentralized across multiple countries including the USA, China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Haiti to meet global demand.

Ownership remains primarily with the founding Koch family, led by CEO Chris Koch. However, the company has evolved into a private equity-backed entity with significant minority investments from firms like ACON Investments and the major U.S. sports leagues themselves. In 2024, New Era further expanded its market dominance by acquiring its competitor, '47 Brand.