The North Face announced the creation of a new and separate footwear department within their Research, Design and Development infrastructure. Building on a track record of success in creating innovative and technical footwear, an intensified investment behind the brand’s footwear business begins immediately.

The North Face footwear division will operate as a separate department within Research, Design and Development with a new position – Vice President of Footwear – being established, reporting directly to The North Face President, Steve Rendle. Footwear Product Directors will focus on three key product platforms: trail running, multi-sport/hiking and insulated footwear. Each Product Director will have a dedicated design and development infrastructure reporting directly to them.

“We have experienced critical acclaim and commercial success in our footwear business,” said Steve Rendle, president, The North Face. “Our Trek Light GTX and Ultra GTX XCR won Outside magazine’s “Gear of the Year” award and the Ultra GTX XCR and Vapor Light were Trail Runner magazine “Editor’s Choice” award winners. In the last four years our footwear business has grown at a compounded annual growth rate of 53.5%, and that momentum continues in 2005. These investments are being made from a position of strength, to maximize the significant growth opportunity The North Face has in this category going forward,” said Rendle.

To complement this initiative, investments will also be made in the VF Asia sourcing and technical services infrastructure, including the creation of a new position, Vice President of Sourcing, along with a dedicated merchandising staff and technical development infrastructure.

The North Face footwear line is currently managed by One Step Ahead, a footwear design and development company located in Portland, Oregon. The transition to an in-house team will take place over the next 6 months and culminate in the launch of the Fall 2007 product line. “One Step Ahead has played a major role in our success in this category. We will look to maintain a strong relationship in the coming years as we continue to draw from their tremendous knowledge and expertise,” Steve Rendle added.