Jim Van Dine, president of KEEN Footwear announced today that the footwear company will be moving its corporate headquarters to Portland, Oregon, early next year.

“The Portland metropolitan region is home to more than 20 footwear companies and 20 more outdoor gear and active apparel companies….it’s the richest pool of talent on the planet,” said Van Dine. Add the close proximity to outstanding outdoor recreation with world class running, hiking, climbing, skiing, and cycling the availability of affordable housing and you have what we think is needed to take Keen to the next level.

According to Van Dine, the company plans to complete the move by April 2006. “Every Keen employee will be invited to make the move and will be provided with relocation assistance. We owe our success to date to our employees and we don’t intend to leave any of them behind,” he added. The company will keep its distribution center in the Bay Area.

“We’re a company that is committed to keeping an active social conscience in every way we can,” said Van Dine. We think this concern should carry over into the design of our own facility….we intend to make it as “green” as possible. That's consistent with the Keen brand. It's about responsibility and about making great products that perform well and look good. It's also about a sense of fun and certain irreverence because our customers are more like fans than consumers. There's a real emotional connection, and that's really a way our brand is differentiated in the marketplace.”