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New Balance struggles as last major athletic shoe brand still manufacturing in U.S.
The Washington Post ^ | Thursday, July 28, 2011 | Peter Whoriskey

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 ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: business; buyamerica; freetrade; giantsuckingsound; jobs; manufacturing; newbalance; obama; obamanomics; shoes; unemployment; vietnam
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To: netmilsmom

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?


41 posted on 07/29/2011 4:46:08 AM PDT by rbg81
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To: MinorityRepublican

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.


42 posted on 07/29/2011 4:49:47 AM PDT by Vinnie
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To: Lancey Howard

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.


43 posted on 07/29/2011 4:53:12 AM PDT by Roklok
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To: Drago

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.


44 posted on 07/29/2011 4:58:40 AM PDT by Vinnie
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To: Oldexpat

Why do mine say made in China?


45 posted on 07/29/2011 5:05:00 AM PDT by Roklok
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To: Reaganez

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!


46 posted on 07/29/2011 5:22:51 AM PDT by Erik Latranyi
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To: MinorityRepublican

FUBO


47 posted on 07/29/2011 6:29:18 AM PDT by hattend (As always... FUJM.)
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To: LowOiL

>>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.


48 posted on 07/29/2011 7:07:55 AM PDT by netmilsmom (Happiness is a choice)
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To: netmilsmom
Where do you buy New Balance at?

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).

49 posted on 07/29/2011 7:36:32 AM PDT by LowOiL ("Abomination" sure sounds like "ObamaNation" to me.)
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To: MinorityRepublican

K B Footwear, “Made In America AGAIN.”

http://www.kbfootwear.com/


50 posted on 07/29/2011 7:48:03 AM PDT by decimon
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To: LowOiL

Thanks!!!


51 posted on 07/29/2011 7:56:36 AM PDT by netmilsmom (Happiness is a choice)
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To: Erik Latranyi

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


52 posted on 07/30/2011 5:18:48 AM PDT by erlayman
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To: MinorityRepublican

I always buy New Balance because they fit good and wear well.


53 posted on 07/30/2011 5:22:32 AM PDT by dforest
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To: bushwon
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.

54 posted on 07/30/2011 5:29:28 AM PDT by usconservative (When The Ballot Box No Longer Counts, The Ammunition Box Does. (What's In Your Ammo Box?))
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To: LowOiL
ShoeBuy.Com also has them at very reasonable prices with FREE Shipping and FREE Shipping on returns.

That's where I buy mine, they also keep them in WIDE widths.

55 posted on 07/30/2011 5:31:22 AM PDT by usconservative (When The Ballot Box No Longer Counts, The Ammunition Box Does. (What's In Your Ammo Box?))
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To: Roklok

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.


56 posted on 07/30/2011 5:43:19 AM PDT by aomagrat (Gun owners who vote for democrats are too stupid to own guns.)
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To: Drago

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


57 posted on 07/30/2011 6:01:14 AM PDT by golux
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To: erlayman
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.

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.

58 posted on 07/30/2011 7:13:13 AM PDT by Erik Latranyi
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To: MinorityRepublican

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.


59 posted on 07/30/2011 7:16:56 AM PDT by FreedomPoster (Islam delenda est)
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To: usconservative

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!!!!


60 posted on 07/30/2011 4:27:14 PM PDT by Freedom56v2 ("If you think healthcare is expensive now, wait till it is free"--PJ O'rourke)
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