Renfro Corporation has become the official U.S. and Canadian licensee for New Balance socks, effective this month. The licensing agreement enables Renfro to design, manufacture and market new lines of New Balance socks as well as manufacture the brand’s current lines.
“We are pleased that our new license sock agreement with Renfro provides a fresh design perspective, exceptional product quality, and a shared commitment to US manufacturing,” says Becky Benowicz, New Balance’s Licensing and Brand Extension Manager.
Headquartered in Boston, Mass., New Balance is currently the only major shoe company manufacturing a portion of its athletic footwear in the U.S. In 2013, one of every four pairs of New Balance shoes sold in the U.S. was made or assembled here. “Renfro shares New Balance’s interest in supporting domestic manufacturing,” said John Hoskins, VP Brand Marketing at Renfro. “We are proud that Renfro’s first license agreement in the athletic sock category is with New Balance, a company well respected for its innovation, integrity and product quality,” said Hoskins.
“The New Balance Socks Fall ’14 collection contains 25 styles that are made in the U.S., many of which are made in our Cleveland, Tennessee factory,” said Casey Rosett, director of marketing at Renfro. Starting with the Fall ‘14 season, Renfro will launch several new styles of New Balance socks, including technical running socks engineered with merino wool, olefin and Hydrotec polyester for superior performance.
