Nike Inc. announced its intention to accelerate investment in
advanced footwear manufacturing in the United States, if a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPA) is passed
and finalized. In a statement put out Friday, hours before President Barack Obama is to speak at the company’s Beaverton, OR headquarters, Nike said footwear tariff relief would allow Nike to accelerate development of
new advanced manufacturing methods and a domestic supply chain to
support U.S.-based manufacturing.
This advanced manufacturing
model is expected to lead to the creation of up to 10,000 manufacturing
and engineering jobs in addition to thousands of construction jobs and
up to 40,000 indirect supply chain and service jobs in the United States
over the next decade.
“We believe agreements that encourage free
and fair trade allow Nike to do what we do best: innovate, expand our
businesses and drive economic growth. Nike has always led the way in
product innovation, and now we will be able to accelerate our
investments to continue to drive manufacturing innovation,” said Mark
Parker, President & CEO, NIKE, Inc.
U.S. manufacturing would
allow Nike to deliver product faster to market, create innovative
performance footwear, provide customized solutions for consumers, and
advance sustainability goals.
“We commend President Obama for his strong leadership to advance these important trade initiatives,” said Parker. “Our employees and our business depend on free trade and the ability to reach athletes and consumers around the world.”
Nike employs 26,000 people in the United States, including more than 8,500 in Oregon, and does business in 190 countries around the world. The company contributes an annual economic impact to Oregon of more than $2.5 billion.
Nike currently has a manufacturing footprint in the United States that includes footwear air sole manufacturing in Oregon and Missouri and relationships with manufacturing partners across the United States that employ thousands of Americans.
