Posted on 07/28/2011 11:07:57 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
The last major athletic shoe brand manufacturing in the United States is watching closely as the Obama administration negotiates a free-trade agreement with Vietnam and seven other countries, and it is unclear whether the company can stand up to a flood of shoes from overseas.
NORRIDGEWOCK, Maine — At the factory here owned by New Balance, the last major athletic shoe brand to manufacture footwear in the United States, even workers on the shop floor recognize that in purely economic terms, the operation doesn’t make sense.
The company could make far more money if, like Nike and Adidas, it shifted virtually all of these jobs to low-wage countries.
So employees try working each shift to make it up. Conversations on the shop floor are sparse at best, and the tasks at each work station have been stripped of waste and precisely timed. Workers cut leather for a pair of shoes in 88 seconds, handle precise stitching in 37 seconds and glue soles to uppers even faster.
“The company already could make more money by going overseas, and they know it,” said Scott Boulette, 35, a burly team leader who has his son’s name tattooed in Gothic letters down his left forearm. “So we hustle.”
Now, however, comes what may be an insurmountable challenge. The Obama administration is negotiating a free-trade agreement with Vietnam and seven other countries, and it is unclear whether the plant can stand up to a flood of shoes from that country, already one of the leading exporters of footwear to the United States.
“We are deeply concerned by the inclusion of Vietnam in a potential free-trade agreement,” said Rob DeMartini, president and chief executive of New Balance.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
I’ve been wearing NB sneakers since 1992. Great product made in the USA and the same price as the Nikes made overseas. What’s not to love?
Not all of their shoes are made in the USA.
I like NB shoes, the ones made in the USA. The 475 models are inexpensive, come in wide widths and Made in USA.
Their Chinese models, Possibly only the natural/brown leather models, are ill fitting.
I have bought nothing but New Balance shoes for at least the past 10 years. $49 a pair and they are comfortable and wear like iron. I have bought Nike, Adidas, Rebok, Converse, Champion and they were all wore out in 6 months.
J C Penney carries a fair variety of NB shoes. Shoe Carnival also.
I have 3 pair of 475’s. Two black, one gray/blue. I wear 4E and they make plenty of them.
Why do mine say made in China?
You are 100% correct!
It is sad to see FReepers falling for the liberal/union anti-free trade propoganda.
We have a serious problem with over-spending politicians and an anti-business climate full of regulations and taxes.
Just look at the local level for proof. A company wants to open in your area and the first thing you see is people complaining about the increased traffic, noise and out-of-towners who will be attracted by the new business.
Then the local politicians step in with zoning hearings and multiple “studies”.
Then the environmentalists start with lawsuits and injunctions. They always seek to protect some creature, even if it is from a solar cell factory.
Once the business is open, the unions look to organize the workforce.
If the business is successful, liberals call for special taxes on it to mitigate whatever fantasy-danger they have created. Local politicians line up to get their cut so budgets do not have to be restrained.
If the business wants to expand, it has to go through the whole process again.
So for those FReepers who blame free trade, just STFU!
FUBO
>>I buy New Balance at $29.99 to $39.99 all the time. <<
Where do you get them?
The website says much more.
I’ll buy a pair just to support an American Company.
www.shoeshow.com (I shop at local store, your mileage may vary on what they have in stock). You can look at some styles at the web site.
Another store that occasionally has them in stock is Hammers Dept. Stores (various locations in the south).
Thanks!!!
A race to the bottom with wages won’t fix this. The Philippines, Vietnam etc have only now reached a whopping 5% of US hourly production wages. The low cost of labor constitutes the major competitive advantage of these emerging market suppliers - along with materials, cost of production, lower regulations etc.
I’m all for free trade but why do we hold to account greedy labor and union benefits, but not greedy corporatist and greedy financiers?
My New Balance are over $100.00
I always buy New Balance because they fit good and wear well.
Me either. I own two pairs, both for walking. I have planar fascitis (heel spurs) and they're the only shoes I have that I can walk in without alot of pain. Great arch support, incredibly light weight and they 'vent' through a mesh in the top helping keep my feet cool and dry.
By the way, I don't care if they're union made or not at this point, I just want to see my fellow Americans keep working. New Balance are GREAT shoes, it would be a dirty damn' shame to see the one shoe maker I actually LIKE move out of the U.S.
That's where I buy mine, they also keep them in WIDE widths.
Not all New Balance shoes are made in the USA. Most are made in China. When I buy mine I go through the boxes until I find a “Made in USA” pair. I get them from Kohl’s for about $40.
Thanks Drago!
I like the NB Men’s boat shoe, and will order from these guys!
http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/products/DUW223/
Not a bad littl ‘moc!
Gx
You are spouting union bile.
Wages are only one component....and usually a very small one with today's automated manufacturing. So the effects of labor costs are minimal to the overall operation.
The real costs are in the form of regulation compliance, taxes, etc. That is where innovation does not allow you to escape (unless you are GE and have purchased politicians) unless you go to another state or country.
If you wish to lament automated manufacturing, then please make sure you start with ATMs that contribute to our unemployment rate, Mr President.
I’ve been meaning to get a new pair of real tennis shoes (as in for really playing tennis), and had been thinking NB. Looks like there is no time like the present.
I had no idea they were the only US manufactured shoe and likely a non-union shop
Me either. I own two pairs, both for walking. I have planar fascitis (heel spurs) and they’re the only shoes I have that I can walk in without alot of pain. Great arch support, incredibly light weight and they ‘vent’ through a mesh in the top helping keep my feet cool and dry.
By the way, I don’t care if they’re union made or not at this point, I just want to see my fellow Americans keep working. New Balance are GREAT shoes, it would be a dirty damn’ shame to see the one shoe maker I actually LIKE move out of the U.S.
One of my sons has a wide foot and they come in wide—no extra charge:)
My daughter loves them for running!
My husband runs and loves them.
I like them for walking
We have an outlet store in Chicago area that sells them too, but Meier Foods and Kohl’s clothing often have good deals, so usually get them there. I had no idea they were the last ones standing in US athletic shoe market, but I will buy them religiously from now on! It would be a real shame if they leave the USA!!!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.