Alpha Industries History

In October, 1959, more than 50 years ago, Alpha Industries began its operations making military clothing in the basement of a rented Knoxville, Tennessee factory using leased sewing machines and only a few employees.    The first few years were very difficult for newly formed Alpha because it was a time of peace and the U.S. Defense Department purchased only small quantities of military clothing.  However, the outstanding quality of Alpha’s clothing quickly came to the Defense Department’s attention and as America’s  need for military clothing increased as the Vietnam conflict deepened, Alpha’s growth as a manufacturer for the Defense Department rapidly accelerated.

Although Alpha made many different types of clothing the company became most associated with several jackets that became classics of American fashion.  Two of these jackets - the MA-1 flight jacket and the M-65 field jacket-- were almost exclusively made by Alpha for the military and Alpha was instrumental in working with the U.S. military designers to improve their performance and design.  Subsequently when these garments migrated from their military roots into globally popular casual or street wear styles Alpha, as the authentic producer of the MA-1 and M-65 for the military, also became famous in the public’s mind for these styles. Aside from the MA-1 and M-65,  Alpha’s manufacturing expertise and technical proficiency led the U.S. Defense Department to frequently consult with Alpha concerning the development of jackets, pants and other clothing for aviators, soldiers and sailors.  This was of vital concern to U.S. military planners.  Rapid changes in aircraft and new military technology required continual development of new clothing necessary for military personnel to function and survive in hostile climates and conditions that now became theaters of military operations.  U.S. defense forces heavily relied on Alpha’s expertise for the development of new flight jackets and army clothing not only for performance characteristics but to assure that the vast quantities of clothing needed by large military forces could be efficiently and economically manufactured by ordinary factory workers.

3 Bars make a difference

By the mid 1970’s, Alpha’s fame as the preeminent manufacturer of military clothing began to spread by word of mouth outside the military organizations.  Surplus jackets and pants made by Alpha were quickly sold to the public through Army Navy stores.  Alpha’s clothing was valued over other brands because Alpha made its commercial clothing with the same quality and materials as the clothing it made for the military.  Because garments made for the U.S. military were indistinguishable from those made for commercial customers Alpha decided to place three lines on the labels of commercial clothing so factory workers could readily identify which jackets were part of a government contract from those that were not.  

Although not intended by Alpha, the 3 line label became a visual trade mark of Alpha that consumers recognized as representing superior quality, performance and comfort in a military garment.  Alpha subsequently trademarked the three line label and later integrated the three lines into it’s now famous Alpha logo.

Going Fashion

In recent years, Alpha has taken its 50+ year old heritage and grown into an internationally recognized  brand global for military inspired casual wear.   Building on its superior and proven manufacturing and design abilities Alpha now produces jackets, shirts, pants and many other products worn by people worldwide along with their jeans, footwear and other hallmarks of American casual styles.  

Alpha has remained true to its history by continuing to produce authentic military garments.  But Alpha also has fulfilled the expectations of its global customer base by continually developing casual clothing that interprets its military heritage into products that people want because of their unsurpassed performance characteristics, design and quality.