New Balance commemorated the opening of its new Sports Research Lab in its Lawrence, MA facility yesterday with a visit from MA Governor Deval Patrick. Governor Patrick toured the Lab and also the company’s manufacturing floor. The lab will focus on technology and product testing, innovation research, education and also host customer visits.
“The mission of the Sports Research Lab is to inspire, validate, and inform the design and development of new products and innovations through the study of athletes, biomechanics, and sport,” said Edith Harmon, VP of advanced products for New Balance. “Our ultimate mission is to ensure New Balance continues to create provably superior technology platforms and products.”
The modern, new 3,000 square foot facility houses state-of-the-art biomechanics equipment, office space, a 120 foot running track, 30 by 30 court and Smash Lab. The Lab is maintained and managed by University of Massachusetts-Amherst PhD candidates. New Balance maintains a research relationship with the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
New Balance’s Lawrence facility is one of five manufacturing plants in New England owned and operated by New Balance. The facility is also home to New Balance’s research and development, design, apparel, purchasing/sourcing, and human resource/IT departments, as well as a New Balance Factory Store.
