Hat Retailer to Grow Its Indianapolis HQ 6.10.10

Mayor Greg Ballard joined Governor Mitch Daniels and executives of Hat World, Inc., a retailer and manufacturer of hats and sports apparel, today to announce that the company will expand its Indianapolis headquarters and distribution operations, creating up to 571 new jobs by 2015.

"Hat World's expansion and consolidation of its manufacturing and warehouse operations in Indianapolis and its plans for new jobs here makes sense for a growing, industry-leading company seeking a competitive workforce," said Mayor Ballard. "From a location and cost standpoint, it's tough to beat our low costs of doing business and the ease and efficiency of shipping product to all parts of the country. I congratulate Hat World and its employees on this success, and look forward to a long partnership with you."

The company, which manufactures apparel and operates retail stores primarily under the LIDS brand, plans to invest up to $22 million to lease and equip additional space as it consolidates manufacturing and warehouse operations from Wisconsin. Hat World currently operates out of 195,000 square feet of leased space in Park 100 on the City's Northwestside.

"Welcoming hundreds of new jobs and millions of dollars in capital investment means a great day for Indianapolis and the state," said Governor Daniels. "These new jobs could have landed somewhere else, but Indiana's competitive business climate and Hat World's continuing commitment to our state has made for another successful outcome for Hoosiers." 

Hat World, which currently employs more than 300 associates in Indianapolis, plans to begin hiring additional manufacturing and warehouse associates later this summer as new operations and additional inventory is phased in at the Indianapolis location. 

"By staying focused on ways to continually enhance our branding, technology and processes in order to create the maximum value for our customers and employees, Hat World is proud to be a recognized retail leader of officially licensed and branded athletic fashion headwear," said Hat World, Inc. President Ken Kocher. "It is this same drive that has us excited about the opportunity to continue our expansion in the team apparel industry by relocating production to Indianapolis. We greatly appreciate the commitment of the City of Indianapolis and state of Indiana for their support of our continued growth."

Founded in Lafayette, Ind., in 1995, Hat World, Inc. operates more than 900 retail stores in 48 states under the retail brands of LIDS Hat World, Hat Shack, LIDS Locker Room and Sports Fan-Attic. In 2004, Hat World, Inc. was purchased by Nashville, Tenn.-based Genesco Inc. (NYSE: GCO).

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Hat World Inc. up to $4 million in performance-based tax credits based on the company's job creation plans. The City of Indianapolis will consider additional property tax abatement at the request of Develop Indy.

Hat World, Inc.'s announced expansion comes just three weeks after Arcadia HealthCare (NYSE Amex:KAD) announced plans to expand its national headquarters and pharmacy fulfillment operations on the Northside of Indianapolis, creating up to 930 new jobs by 2013.

About Hat World, Inc.
Hat World, Inc. is comprised of three businesses: the LIDS retail headwear stores, the LIDS Locker Room specialty fan retail chain, and the LIDS Team Sports wholesale team sports business. Operating out of Indianapolis, Indiana, the two retail businesses make up more than 900 mall-based, airport, street level and factory outlet locations nationwide, and in Canada and Puerto Rico. The company also operates smaller headwear retail brands Hat World and Hat Shack. LIDS Locker Room is a mall-based retailer of sports headwear, apparel, accessories, and novelties, and also operates Sports Fan-Attic stores. Most LIDS and LIDS Locker Room stores also offer custom embroidery capability. In addition, licensed LIDS stores operate in Hong Kong and China. LIDS Team Sports is a full service team uniform and apparel dealer, custom screen printer, embroidery and sporting goods distributor. Hat World, Inc. also operates Internet sites www.lids.com, www.lids.ca and www.lidsteamsports.com. Hat World, Inc. is a subsidiary of Genesco Inc.

About IEDC
Created by Governor Mitch Daniels in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Daniels. Mitch Roob serves as the chief executive officer of the IEDC.  For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.