Williamson-Dickie History

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The Company Description of Its Time

Through its dedication to innovation and continual customer contact, Williamson-Dickie Mfg. Co. transformed itself from a small bib overall company into a global workwear manufacturer. Sold in every state in the U.S., Dickies offers a broad spectrum of work garments ranging from work pants and work shirts to denim jeans and women's workwear. Since its beginnings in 1922, every piece of Dickies workwear has stood for the quality, toughness and pride that embodies the spirit of the American worker.

Growth, War Production and the World Market

From its early years, Williamson-Dickie enjoyed steady growth, slowed only by the Great Depression, and during World War II the company was sequestered to produce millions of uniforms for the nation's armed forces. In converting to civilian production after the war, C. Don Williamson began a strategy of geographical expansion and established new production facilities, warehouses and sales territories throughout the United States.

In the late 1950s, Williamson-Dickie became an international company by expanding into the European market and the Middle Eastern market - where Texas oilmen introduced the Dickies brand to Middle Eastern oil fields. While Williamson-Dickie began as a bib overall company, it grew to be a leading manufacturer of work apparel worldwide, and Dickies workwear came to be sold in all 50 states and throughout the world - in South Africa, Australia, Russia, Chile, Japan, Iceland, Canada, Europe and Mexico among other markets. The company also owned the Walls, Liberty and Kodiak workwear brands alongside Dickies itself.

By continually expanding and updating its selection, Williamson-Dickie came to offer garments ranging from its staple work pants and work shirts to women's workwear, chore coats and denim jeans. Its best-known single garment, the 874 work pant introduced in 1967, crossed over from job sites into skate, music and street style - a second life that kept the century-old work brand in front of customers who never wore it to work. Authentic Dickies brand merchandise, the company has always noted, is available only through authorized licensees, distributors and retailers.

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