FORT WORTH, Texas — Iconic Fort Worth-based workwear brand Dickies is moving its headquarters to California.
VF Corporation, which owns brands like Vans, Timberland and The North Face, acquired Dickies in an $820 million deal in 2017. The company confirmed the Dickies headquarters will move to Costa Mesa, California, impacting about 120 employees.
“This move allows VF to further consolidate its U.S. real estate portfolio as part of its stated business turnaround strategy. But more importantly, by co-locating Dickies with our Vans team in Costa Mesa, we will create an even more vibrant campus where creativity and best practice sharing can thrive through greater collaboration and connections – creating a dynamic and innovative environment similar to our other VF co-branded offices,” VF said in a statement.
VF says the relocation efforts are expected to be finished by May 2025.
“While this move will support the revitalization of the Dickies brand, it will impact a significant number of positions held by our Dickies associates at the Fort Worth headquarters. These kinds of decisions are never made lightly,” VF added. “We are deeply grateful for our Dickies associates’ dedication and hard work and want to recognize the camaraderie and commitment they have shown to the brand.”
Our content partners at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported this spring that Dickies moved its headquarters from a building in the 500 block of Vickery Blvd. that was built in 1924, just two years after the brand was established in Fort Worth, to a six-story building in the 500 block of Taylor St.
VF says Dickies plans to maintain a presence in Fort Worth with employees continuing to work in the Fort Worth distribution facility and the warehouse and stores in the DFW area.
“While this was a tough call, we are confident this change will help us revitalize Dickies so we can carry on the brand’s heritage for years to come,” VF’s statement concluded.
Fort Worth community stakeholders reacted to the news.
“Great success stories have their roots in Fort Worth and Dickies is just one example," Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker said in a statement. "While we understand companies are sometimes forced to make difficult budget decisions under new leadership, we think VFC will find – as others have – that Fort Worth, Texas is ultimately a more competitive place to do business.”
"The company is a true Texas original – everything from its iconic, internationally-known workwear to its local legacy reflects the spirit of Fort Worth and what our city will always stand for," Fort Worth Economic Development said in a statement. "These qualities were undoubtedly part of what made Dickies such an attractive brand to VFC, spurring their 2017 acquisition, and Dickies is just one example of the kind of success stories that businesses find here in Fort Worth."
"Dickies has been a cornerstone of our community for over a century, and while the number of employee jobs affected by this move may be small, the impact of their departure is significant because of their deep legacy here in Fort Worth," City Council Member Elizabeth Beck said in a statement. "Their contributions to our city’s culture, economy, and identity are immeasurable. While we understand their business decision, it is bittersweet to see a company that started right here in Fort Worth take this next step. We are committed to supporting the employees who remain here and will work to honor the lasting imprint Dickies has left on our community."