User:Eastersr/Red Kap

Red Kap is an American company headquartered in Nashville, TN that manufactures and distribues work-related clothing and outerwear.

In 1923, Claude H. Williams, William Wirt Harlin, Sr. and Alexander F. Harlin founded Central Overall Manufacturing, specializing in bib overalls for men and boys. In 1939, the name was changed to Red Kap, after Red Cap Smoking Tobacco. In 1947, Red Kap shifted focus from retail and mail order markets to development of the industry's first laundry-friendly high quality, high durability industrial shirt and pant that could withstand the rigors of industrial washing. Red Kap teamed up with a network of laundries to pick up, deliver, and supply fresh business uniforms.

In the 1960s, Red Kap opened the industry's first apparel research and development laboratory, went public, and became a part of Blue Bell, Inc. In 1986, Red Kap was acquired by VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC), making it the world's largest publicly-held apparel company.