Who Owns Gildan?
Gildan is owned by Gildan Activewear Inc. (NYSE/TSX: GIL), a publicly traded Canadian apparel manufacturer headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. Founded in 1984 by Glenn and Gregory Chamandy, the Gildan brand covers blank t-shirts, fleece, sport shirts, underwear, and socks sold through wholesale and retail channels. Gildan completed its acquisition of HanesBrands in December 2025, making it the largest basic apparel manufacturer globally.
Who Owns Gildan?
- Parent Company: Gildan Activewear
- Ownership Type: Brand division
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NYSE: GIL
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Gildan | Gildan Activewear | Brand division |
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History of Gildan
- Founded: 1984
- Founders: Glenn Chamandy, Gregory Chamandy
Brothers Glenn and Gregory Chamandy founded the company in 1984 in Montreal as Gildan Textiles, initially making fabric for children's sleepwear before pivoting to selling finished blank t-shirts to screen printers and wholesalers.
Gildan Activewear went public on the Toronto Stock Exchange in 1998 and added a NYSE listing in 1999. Through the 2000s and 2010s it built vertically integrated manufacturing in Central America and the Caribbean, becoming the dominant supplier of blank "imprintables" apparel. It acquired the American Apparel brand in 2017 after that company's bankruptcy.
In August 2025 Gildan agreed to acquire HanesBrands in a cash and stock deal valued at approximately $4.4 billion, closing in December 2025. The combined company guides to $6.0 to $6.2 billion in 2026 revenue.
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About Gildan Activewear
What does Gildan Activewear own?
Gildan Activewear owns brands including Gildan (core activewear), American Apparel (fashion-forward activewear), Comfort Colors (premium activewear), Alstyle (imprint activewear), Gold Toe (premium socks), and Peds, Secret, Silks (hosiery). Following the HanesBrands acquisition in December 2025, Gildan also owns Hanes (underwear and innerwear), Champion (under license), Bali (intimates), Playtex (intimates), and Maidenform (intimates). The HanesBrands Australian Business is classified as held for sale.
Is Gildan publicly traded?
Yes, Gildan trades on both the New York Stock Exchange (GIL) and Toronto Stock Exchange (GIL). The company is widely held by institutional and retail investors with no single controlling shareholder. Gildan went public on the TSX in 1998 and listed on the NYSE in 2001.
What is Gildan's annual revenue?
For fiscal year 2025 (ended December 28, 2025), Gildan reported record net sales from continuing operations of $3,619 million, up 10.7% from $3,271 million in FY2024. This includes HanesBrands' contribution of $217 million from December 1-28, 2025. Adjusted diluted EPS was $3.51, up 17% from $3.00 in FY2024. For 2026, Gildan guides revenue of $6.0-$6.2 billion and adjusted diluted EPS of $4.20-$4.40.
Who is the CEO of Gildan?
Glenn J. Chamandy serves as President and CEO. Chamandy co-founded Gildan in 1984 and returned as CEO after a leadership transition in 2024. Under his leadership, Gildan completed the transformative HanesBrands acquisition in December 2025 and delivered record FY2025 results.
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Did Gildan acquire HanesBrands?
Yes, Gildan completed the acquisition of HanesBrands Inc. on December 1, 2025, creating a global basic apparel leader. The acquisition doubled Gildan's scale, combining iconic brands with its world-class, low-cost, vertically integrated manufacturing platform. Integration is progressing ahead of plan, with targeted run-rate cost synergies of approximately $250 million by end of 2028. The HanesBrands Australian Business has been classified as held for sale.
Does Gildan own American Apparel?
Yes, Gildan acquired the American Apparel brand and intellectual property in 2017 for approximately $88 million, adding a fashion-forward brand to its portfolio.
Where are Gildan's factories located?
Gildan operates manufacturing facilities primarily in Honduras (the largest production hub), Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and Bangladesh. The company is also building a second textile facility (Phase 2) at its Bangladesh complex, with initial production targeted for the latter part of 2027. Gildan's vertically integrated model controls production from yarn spinning to finished garments.
- Founded: 1984
- Headquarters: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NYSE: GIL
Where Is Gildan Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Gildan Categories & Tags
Brands Owned by Gildan Activewear
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Gildan Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Vertically integrated manufacturing drives the lowest cost structure in basics
- +Scale leadership after the HanesBrands acquisition
- +Strong position in the high-volume imprintables channel
Considerations
- -Minimal brand marketing; relies on price and availability
- -Exposure to cotton prices and tariff policy
- -Integration risk in absorbing HanesBrands' operations
Frequently Asked Questions About Gildan
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Sources & Further Reading
- Gildan official website
- Gildan Activewear investor relations
- Gildan Activewear company profile - /companies/gildan-activewear
Competitors to Gildan
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berkshire Hathaway | USA | 1851 | Mass market | Global | All Genders | |
| Gap | USA | 1969 | Mass market | United states | All Genders | |
| Marquee Brands | Canada | 1973 | Premium | Regional | Unisex | |
| Gildan Activewear | USA | 1989 | Mass market | United states | Unisex |
Learn More About Competitors
Fashion ApparelFruit of the Loom
Owned by Berkshire Hathaway
American apparel company specializing in basic clothing and underwear, owned by Berkshire Hathaway.
apparelunderwearclothing
Fashion ApparelGap
Owned by Gap Inc.
Flagship brand of Gap Inc., the San Francisco apparel retailer selling casual basics, denim, and essentials since 1969.
apparelretaildenim
Fashion ApparelRoots
Owned by Marquee Brands LLC
Canadian heritage outdoor and lifestyle brand founded in 1973, known for leather goods, apparel, and the iconic salt and pepper sweatpants. Acquired by Marquee Brands in August 2026 for approximately C$160.7 million.
canadian-brandleather-goodsapparel
Fashion ApparelAmerican Apparel
Owned by Gildan Activewear
Los Angeles clothing brand known for vertically integrated manufacturing and basics apparel, now owned by Gildan Activewear.
clothingbasicsapparel
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Gildan competes with 4 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
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Fashion ApparelDickies
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Dickies is privately owned, unlike Gildan which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Fashion ApparelNautica
Owned by Authentic Brands Group
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Nautica is privately owned, unlike Gildan which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Gildan Activewear Stock Information
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