Cabot Hosiery Mills
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Textile |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Founder | Marc Cabot |
| Headquarters | Northfield , United States |
Key people | Ric Cabot (president and CEO) |
| Products | Socks (Darn Tough brand) |
Number of employees | 200 (2016) |
Cabot Hosiery Mills is a textile producer located in Northfield, Vermont, specializing in socks marketed under the "Darn Tough" label. Established in 1978, the company introduced the "Darn Tough" sock line in 2004.
History
The company was established by Marc Cabot in 1978 after purchasing an unused mill in Northfield. Initially, it manufactured socks for retailers such as Gap, which retailed them under their own private brand names. However, as these retailers increasingly turned to less expensive overseas manufacturers, Cabot Hosiery experienced a drop in annual sales from $7 million to $5 million, leading to workforce reductions and financial strain by the early 2000s.
In 2004, Ric Cabot—who had been with the company since 1989—introduced the "Darn Tough" brand, emphasizing highly durable socks. This initiative was supported by further investment from the Cabot family. Starting with a local customer base, the brand gained traction among outdoor enthusiasts, eventually securing national retail partnerships with companies like REI and L.L. Bean. Additionally, the firm obtained major contracts supplying socks to the US military, which contributed up to one-third of its revenue.
Fueled by the success of "Darn Tough," sales climbed steadily throughout the 2000s. By 2012, the workforce had grown to approximately 130 employees. During the early part of that decade, annual sales increased at a rate near 60%. In 2015, with Ric Cabot serving as president and CEO, Cabot Hosiery announced plans for expanding its manufacturing facility to accommodate growing demand. By 2016, revenue neared $50 million annually, with a staff of around 200 and ongoing recruitment efforts.