Levi Strauss & Company, known to almost everyone as simply “Levis”, was founded in 1853 by two businessmen, Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss. Strauss was already selling denim pants, but it was Davis who had the idea of putting copper rivets in pocket corners to keep them from tearing. Davis, however, was unable to afford a patent. He suggested to Strauss that they go into business together, and Levi jeans became very popular.
Today, this privately owned company has more than 2,800 retail locations, and their jeans are sold in almost every country in the world. The company had annual revenue in 2015 of $4.49 billion and more than 15,000 full-time employees. In addition to the coveted jeans, the company also makes skirts, belts, shoes, T-shirts, dresses, overalls, jackets, trousers, shorts, wallets, and sweatshirts.
The company recently ran into controversy in 2016 after posting signs outside company-owned stores which asked that people not bring firearms into their locations, even in states where open carry is legal after a customer accidentally shot himself while trying on clothing.
In March of 2019, the company announced plans to go public on the NYSE under the ticker symbol LEVI.
Company headquarters are still located in San Francisco, California, where it started back in 1853.
Levi Strauss & Company, known to almost everyone as simply “Levis”, was founded in 1853 by two businessmen, Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss. Strauss was already selling denim pants, but it was Davis who had the idea of putting copper rivets in pocket corners to keep them from tearing. Davis, however, was unable to afford a patent. He suggested to Strauss that they go into business together, and Levi jeans became very popular.
History
Today, this privately owned company has more than 2,800 retail locations, and their jeans are sold in almost every country in the world. The company had annual revenue in 2015 of $4.49 billion and more than 15,000 full-time employees. In addition to the coveted jeans, the company also makes skirts, belts, shoes, T-shirts, dresses, overalls, jackets, trousers, shorts, wallets, and sweatshirts.
The company recently ran into controversy in 2016 after posting signs outside company-owned stores which asked that people not bring firearms into their locations, even in states where open carry is legal after a customer accidentally shot himself while trying on clothing.
In March of 2019, the company announced plans to go public on the NYSE under the ticker symbol LEVI.
Company headquarters are still located in San Francisco, California, where it started back in 1853.