Keen Footwear Named One Of Most Admired Companies In Oregon For 2020 By Portland Business Journal For Third Consecutive Year

For the third consecutive year, KEEN has again been recognized by the Portland Business Journal* as one of the most admired companies for 2020.

When COVID-19 hit, KEEN went into action donating 100,000 pairs of shoes to front line workers and converted a shoe-making line in one of its U.S. factories to manufacturing reusable face masks. To date, the company has donated more than 150,000 masks to its local community.

To support its brick & mortar retail partners during the pandemic’s initial challenges, KEEN implemented initiatives enabling them to compete more effectively. In addition to adjusting business terms to reflect government-mandated closures, it created and ran a twelve-part Zoom webinar series on how to compete digitally during the pandemic. KEEN also compiled and distributed a best-practices newsletter for re-opening and designed and distributed more than 1,000 Fit-Shield Stations to keep customers and sales associates safe while trying on shoes.

“We are most grateful for this recognition and are honored to be in such good company,” said Erik Burbank, vice president, the KEEN Effect, KEEN. “This year has been a roller coaster for Portland, a community that has been an integral part of the KEEN journey. We are inspired by the acts of kindness and courage we have seen from our colleagues and the community this year and look forward to ensuring that Portland remains vibrant as we emerge from 2020.”

“With the help of the tireless KEEN team around the world, the actions taken in response to the pandemic enabled the company to deliver very strong results for 2020. We extend our deepest gratitude not only to our employees,but also our business partners and our fans that continue to make KEEN a part of their daily life.”

To learn more, go here.

*Portland Business Journal sent surveys to 6,000 CEOs in Oregon and Southwest Washington. It asked them to select three companies they most admire in eight industries three companies they admire most across all industries. More than 400 responded to the survey. Respondents identified their first, second and third-place choices in each category.