Who Knew? New Balance Made in the USA
A very very long time ago, I met with a very famous fashion designer for a meeting and commented that one day I hoped I would be able to design and sell my own products and that they would be manufactured in the USA. He said, “that’s impossible. There’s no way you’re going to make any money by hiring American workers.” Flash forward 10 years later, and I’ve got a mattress line that’s made in multiple factories around the USA and a USDA-certified bath and beauty line manufactured in the USA, too. So, Mr. Famous Designer, take that.
A press release that came in my inbox intrigued me. It was from New Balance, the athletic sneaker company, tauting the fact they are the ONLY athletic company that still makes all their sneakers right here in the USA. They just released a documentary video (above) that shows all the workers who make the shoes from start to finish in one of five factories in the Boston area. Keep in mind not all New Balance shoes are made in the USA—many are still made in China—but there are many models of both men’s and women’s sneakers of all types that are manufactured here. The New Balance website does point out which models are made in the USA.
I never even thought about my sneakers (other than how to recycle them) until recently. But now I’m more inclined to buy my next pair of sneakers from New Balance knowing they are American made and manufactured not too far from where I live! In a tougher economic climate, there’s something refreshing about knowing the products I’m purchasing for myself and my home can also be helping Americans stay employed. I know it’s impossible to buy everything made in the USA, but it doesn’t mean we can’t try and we can’t support those brands that are made right here.
You can learn more about New Balance and their American success story here: http://www.newbalance.com/USA/
Do you have a link to a website, or a list where I can find a list of companies or products that are only produced in the U.S.?
New Balance shoes are reasonably priced, as well.
That’s awesome to hear! I only buy NB shoes (I find they’re the best of ppl with wide feet) but had no idea they were made in the US. =)
Danny are you gonna be at this weekend’s Renningers Extravaganza in Kutztown? My friends and I are headed out of NYC for the weekend to take part. I went last year and made out with so much loot! Hope to see you around this year. =)
That is so great. When I go to buy shoes, I always walk around looking at where things are made and sighing. The last two times I just left with no shoes at all!
I’ll have to pay attention to the NB shoes for sure now. Thanks so much Danny, that was a great video!
Good to know-I will make my next pair NB from the USA!
I’ve gone to their website and looked at their shoes, but I cannot find any indicators of which shoes are made in the US and which are made in China. Can you post a link to the list that you mentioned? Thanks!
[...] View post: Daily Danny » Blog Archive » Who Knew? New Balance Made in the USA … [...]
http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/
Here are the shoes that are made in USA. http://www.newbalance.com/USA/#/pride/
My husband wears a 4E wide shoe and can rarely find them anyplace except New Balance. He is an ER nurse and on his feet for 12 hr shifts and these shoes get him through.
Thanks for the info – I think I had heard this before but had forgotten. My teenaged son wears only New Balance, though this fall he will start at a private h.s. where NB sneaks are not an option for school footwear! I now know my next pair of tennies will be NBs.
Please continue to feature Made in the USA products when possible. I am almost freaking out at my inability to find household linens made in the US. This is a fairly recent phenomenon, maybe over the past 2 or 3 years at most. I am obsessing about it, as some of my sheet sets are getting older and losing the elastic at the corners of the fitted sheets. I guess I need to learn how to replace the elastic unless I can find a source for sheets made in the US. As it is, I am snapping up cotton blankets made in the US to keep them on hand for the future.
JC Penney’s towels used to be US made but now are not. I am so disappointed.
I was so excited to see that these were made in the USA that I had my husband check the inside of his sneakers, but unfortunately they are made in China. Oh well– maybe next time!
This is a great post! I love NB shoes and have worn them for years so it is wondeful to read that they make efforts to produce thier great products here in the US- love #992. I’m also a big fan of the Veja line of sneakers, the are fair trade and eco friendly plus they come in great colors.
[...] Who Knew? New Balance Made in the USA [...]
[...] Daily Danny » Blog Archive » Who Knew? New Balance Made in the USA … [...]
That’s so interesting! I had no idea… my next pair will definitely be New Balance. The ones I have now are so comfortable!
[...] Daily Danny » Blog Archive » Who Knew? New Balance Made in the USA … [...]
Have any of you heard their radio comercial? It’s horribly written. It manages to hit just about every “do not do this” my 11th grade english teacher told us about. It’s starts out “One hundred years prior to the last hundred years…” I have to turn the radio off every time I hear it.
sweet – i didn’t know that either…but very inclined to support made in the usa products. i’ve had numerous big retailers tell me that they won’t bring my line onboard unless i manufacture them overseas for dirt chip. thanks but no thanks.