Headwear
British hat company established in 1938. Bollman acquired 51% from Frasers Group in 2023. Bollman has held the global rights to develop and produce Kangol headwear since 2001.
Company Ownership
Kangol LLC
UK
Bollman Hat Company
owns 51% of Kangol LLC
USA
Headwear
Founded in USA in 1868. Makes Timberland and Kangol hats under licence, plus owns several brands itself. Its hats are sold in over 55 countries. In 1985 company management bought the firm from the founding Bollman family.
Frasers Group plc
owns 49% of Kangol LLC
UK
Sporting goods retailer
Formerly known as Sports Direct International plc. UK's #1 sports retailer. Established in 1982. In 2004-05 they acquired the Carlton, Karrimor, Slazenger, Dunlop, Campri, LA Gear, No Fear, Title and Voodoo Dolls brands. Acquired Lonsdale in 2007, Everlast in 2008, Hot Tuna in 2012 and Missguided in 2022. Founder Mike Ashley owns 61.7% of the company.
Company Assessment
(Last updated Jan 2023)
Praise
Criticism
Information
Kangol LLC
Praise
Criticism
Information
Part owned by Frasers Group, which has criticisms
This company is 49% owned by Frasers Group, which has an overall Shop Ethical rating of 'D'.
Source: Shop Ethical
(2023)
Use of angora wool
This company uses angora wool in many of its hats. 90% of the world's angora comes from China, where there are no penalties for abuse of animals on farms and no standards to regulate the treatment of the animals. Angora rabbits are kept in factory farm conditions and suffer greatly during the process of collecting the wool.
Source: PETA
(2023)
Bollman Hat Company
Praise
Criticism
Information
Deceptive marketing
In 2018 FTC settled with Bollman Hat Company regarding its deceptive "Made in USA" and certification claims. More than seventy percent of their hats are wholly imported.
Source: Olshan Law
(2018)
Company Details
Type:
Subsidiary
Founded:
1938
Contact Details
Products / Brands
Kangol
Kangol
Hats