BUFFALO, N.Y. – To honor the workers building the new Highmark Stadium and spotlight the essential role of the skilled trades, the Buffalo Bills and Carhartt, America's premium workwear brand, have announced a new partnership celebrating the hardworking tradespeople who make game day possible long before kickoff.
As part of the partnership, Carhartt has released a new short film titled, "Making The Stadium Possible," which pays tribute to the skilled tradespeople whose work makes gameday and the experiences fans love possible. Reinforcing its commitment to the skilled trades, Carhartt is donating $300,000 to support vocational programs across Western New York.
"Carhartt is proud to celebrate the skilled tradespeople who embody hard work both on and off the field, giving it their all to make a new gameday experience for Buffalo Bills fans," said Susan Hennike, Chief Brand Officer at Carhartt. "This cross-brand collaboration reinforces our shared mission to honor those who make our most cherished events and moments of togetherness possible."
As part of Carhartt's Made Possible platform, the film celebrates the grit, pride and expertise of more than 1,400 skilled tradesmen and women working on-site each day to build the stadium. Upon completion, construction crews are expected to contribute 3.4 million hours of labor. As a proud partner of the Buffalo Bills, the film features Pro Football Hall of Famer and Bills legendary running back, Thurman Thomas and the role his commercial construction company, 34 Group Inc., has played in the development of the new stadium.
"It's been wonderful to step into the work-in-progress Highmark Stadium alongside the Carhartt team, giving us a place to appreciate and admire the value of hard work and the impact it has on our fans," said Buffalo Bills SVP & Chief Commercial Officer Jason Hartlund. "We look forward to the opportunities this partnership presents to not only embrace the Bills Mafia on game day but also the careers of hopeful skilled trade workers in Western New York."
The $300,000 donation includes a $250,000 donation to Metallica's foundation, All Within My Hands, through Carhartt's "For the Love of Labor" grant to support and enhance SUNY Erie Community College's workforce education programs, and a $50,000 donation to Thurman Thomas' Family Foundation to support the next generation of local Buffalo youth interested in pursuing careers in the skilled trades.
Skilled trades are the backbone of America's infrastructure and economy, yet they face a growing shortage of workers. According to new research by The Harris Poll, 91% of U.S. adults agree trade jobs are just as essential as white-collar professions. However, due to a lack of awareness about career opportunities and misconceptions about income potential, industries face a labor shortage gap. By supporting local training programs and educational opportunities, Carhartt is actively helping reinforce the trades by strengthening the talent pipeline.
About Carhartt
Established in 1889, Carhartt is a global premium workwear brand with a rich heritage of developing durable products for workers on and off the job. Headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, with approximately 3,000 employees worldwide, Carhartt is family-owned and managed by the descendants of the company's founder, Hamilton Carhartt. For more information, visit www.carhartt.com.
About Highmark Stadium
Highmark Stadium, home of the National Football League's Buffalo Bills, will open in 2026 in Orchard Park, New York, a suburb of Buffalo. In conjunction with Legends and architectural firm Populous, the Bills have left no stone unturned in covering every innovative element of new stadium design and fan amenities, featuring iconic Buffalo architecture and the deep-rooted spirit of Bills Mafia. The open-air, football-first venue will feature premium, reserved seating that delivers an elevated game day experience & atmosphere. A striking canopy structure will provide seating bowl coverage, enhancing fan comfort and protection from the elements. Fans will enjoy 360-degree concourses, frictionless food and beverage marketplaces, and cutting-edge audio/visual features that will set a new sporting stadium standard. With expandable capacity, Highmark Stadium will be the premier destination for major events beyond football. This transformative project is a public-private partnership between the Buffalo Bills, New York State, and Erie County. For the latest updates, download the Bills App or visit buffalobills.com.
