New Balance broke ground to expand its athletic footwear manufacturing factory in Skowhegan, ME. The $65 million, 120,000-square-foot single-story addition, scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024, will add 200 jobs and double the factory’s production capabilities.
New Balance first reported the news of the factory expansion at a Skowhegan Select Board meeting held in December 2022 and covered by SGB Media (read the article here).
“Manufacturing has always been at the core of our company culture,” said New Balance president and CEO Joe Preston. “Our Maine associates have proven that high-quality athletic footwear can be produced in the U.S. Our Skowhegan factory expansion ensures their skilled craftsmanship and dedication to continuous improvement will help us meet our significant U.S. and global consumer demand and drive future business growth.”
The New Balance Skowhegan factory employs approximately 270 people making the brand’s MADE 996, 997, 998, and 1300 shoe models. New Balance purchased the factory in 1981.
New Balance said it is proactively working on expanding its domestic supplier network for its MADE U.S. footwear and driving new automation and robotics to enhance employee safety and ergonomics while increasing productivity.
The factory expansion adds to the existing five-story building, which is also under renovation. New Balance said that manufacturing would continue during construction.
Including NB Skowhegan, the company owns five manufacturing facilities in Maine and Massachusetts, employing approximately 1,300 workers. New Balance reported sales of $5.3 billion in 2022.
Photo courtesy New Balance
