OUR HISTORY

Hudson’s workplace closes

1897

20-year old C.C. Hudson leaves Spring HIll Farm in Williamson County, Tennessee, seeking fortune in the emerging textile town of Greensboro, North Carolina. He finds work in an overall factory, sewing on buttons for 25 cents a day.

Hudson’s workplace closes

1904

Hudson's workplace closes. He and a few others buy several of the sewing machines. C.C. Hudson and his brother, Homer, form the Hudson Overall Company, operating from a loft above Coe Brothers Grocery on South Elm Street in Greensboro.

Hudson’s workplace closes

1919

Sales of Hudson overalls are booming. The company moves to larger headquarters and changes its name to Blue Bell Overall Company.

Hudson’s workplace closes

1926

Big Ben Manufacturing of Kentucky purchases Blue Bell. The name of the merged companies remains Blue Bell; headquarters remain in Greensboro.

Hudson’s workplace closes

1936

Blue Bell introduces Super Big Ben Overalls, featuring 100% Sanforized fabric that reduces shrinkage to less than 1%, setting a new standard for the industry.

Casey Jones

1943

Blue Bell acquires Casey Jones Company, a manufacturer of work-clothing, and, with it, the rights to Casey Jones' rarely used brand name - Wrangler

1947

1947

Wrangler authentic western jeans, designed by celebrity tailor Rodeo Ben, are introduced to the American consumer. Professional rodeo cowboys Jim Shoulders, Bill Linderman and Freckles Brown wear-test the 13MWZ and endorse the Wrangler name for durability, quality and authenticity.

1948 - Jim Shoulders

1948

Jim Shoulders, World Champion Cowboy, signs on as an official endorsee of Wrangler. He goes on to win a total of 16 world championships, including five All-Around, seven Bull Riding and four Bareback Riding World Titles.

1962 - Blue Bell in Belgium

1962

Blue Bell opens a plant in Belgium and the Wrangler brand is successfully launched in Europe.

1963 - Wrangler teenager

1963

Wrangler begins using sanforized, 14 oz. denim - "the heaviest denim ever made" - in their western jeans.

1974 - Pro Rodeo

1974

Wrangler jeans and shirts become the first, and still only, westernwear brand to be officially endorsed by the Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association.

1982 - Dale Earnhardt

1981

Wrangler brand becomes the primary sponsor of professional driver Dale Earnhardt and the legendary blue-and-yellow "Wrangler Jean Machine."

1986 - Blue Bell merger

1986

Blue Bell merges with VF Corporation of Pennsylvania, making VF one of the two largest jeans makers in the world.

1992 - George Strait

1992

Wrangler supplies clothing for the cast of "Pure Country" starring George Strait in Wrangler jeans as Dusty Chandler, a super star in the country music world.

1994 - Wrangler moves to 400 N Elm, Greensboro, NC

1994

Wrangler moves into its new world headquarters on North Elm Street in downtown Greensboro. Twenty X western jeans are introduced.

1996 - 1 in 5 jeans are Wrangler

1996

Wrangler becomes the #1 market share leader in the U.S.; one out of every four males in the U.S. is wearing a Wrangler jean.

1997 - 50th birthday of 13MWZ

1997

The 13MWZ, the official jean of the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association, celebrates its 50th birthday.

2003 - Wrangler teenager

2003

Two new brands are added to the Wrangler family: RIGGS WORKWEAR® by Wrangler®, a line of premium work clothes, and Wrangler® ProGear™ hunting apparel for the serious sportsman. The George Strait Cowboy Cut collection is also introduced.

2004 - Wrangler is the jean worn by Dale Earnhardt Jr.

2004

Wrangler® Jeans Company becomes the official jean of Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and the No. 8 race team. It’s a new generation of Wrangler. Several new collections are added including: Aura from the Women of Wrangler, Genuine Wrangler, and Wrangler Jeans Co.

2005 - Launch of Ultimate Riding Jean with AQHA

2005

Wrangler® partners with the American Quarter Horse Association to develop the Ultimate Riding Jean for women with features tailored to meet the needs of female riders.

2007 - Jim Shoulders dies

2007

Wrangler endorsee James A. "Jim" Shoulders, known as the Babe Ruth of Rodeo, passes away. His passing ends a 58-year partnership with the brand, the longest sports licensing endorsement in the history of professional sports.

2009 - Jason Aldean and Wrangler launch Wrangler Retro

2009

Country Music super star Jason Aldean becomes the face of Wrangler Retro®, a fashion Western line for those who rock their style with an attitude.

2013 - Launch of Wrangler Network

2013

December 2013, WranglerNetwork.com is born. The website features live rodeo streaming video footage, rodeo scores and stats, and country music videos, including the songwriter series each month. Advanced Comfort jeans debut for men featuring a unique cotton blend designed to move with you.

2015 - Cool Vantage moisture wicking jeans

2015

Wrangler Premium Performance Cool Vantage™ hits store shelves in time for summer. The jean incorporates exclusive technology innovations for performance, comfort, and durability.