Vibram sole manufacturer Quabaug has announced plans to invest $1.2 million in its of North Brookfield, MA plant as a result of a recent ruling by the Department of Defense mandating that all new military recruits must purchase domestically manufactured athletic trainers.


“This is a rebirth of an era of athletic shoe production in New England that ended over 30 years ago,” explained President and CEO Mike Gionfriddo at a May 16 gala event celebrating 50 years of Vibram sole production. “Every man and woman who serves our country wears a shoe with a Vibram sole and now we can finally extend this to their athletic training footwear.”

As the only North American sole manufacturer, Vibram, and Quabaug are looking forward to producing soles for a number of U.S. brands, such as New England based athletic footwear companies including New Balance and Saucony.






Marco Bramani, President, Vibram S.p.A. Worldwide, (left) and Kevin Donahue, Quabaug CEO pose for a portrait in the factory at Quabaug, North Brookfield, Massachusetts, May 16, 2014. Photo By: Greg M. Cooper
VIP speakers and attendees included: Congressman Jim McGovern; State Senator Stephen Brewer; Lieutenant Colonel Brian Greata, Garrison Commander of the Natick Soldier Systems Center; Jeremiah Thompson, Western MA Regional Director for Senator Elizabeth Warren; Governor Deval Patrick's Western Representative Elizabeth Cardona with a Governor's Citation; Chairman of the Board of Selectman Bob Smith of North Brookfield with a proclamation; Selectwoman Mary Walter and Selectman Eric Hevy.


About Quabaug Corporation and Vibram


In 1964, Vibram forged a partnership with Quabaug to meet the demands of the North American market for production in the USA. Despite increasing competition from overseas production facilities, the partnership has not only lasted but flourished for 50 years and continues to create innovative technology in partnership.


Founded in 1916 Quabaug began as a manufacturer of floor tiles, baby carriage tires, hockey pucks and a general line of mechanical rubber goods. The company has a 70-year history in the manufacture of soling for footwear and has been instrumental in manufacturing soles for the military from World War II and on. Located in North Brookfield, Massachusetts, Quabaug Corporation employs 250 people and manufactures Vibram® shoe soling, QuaBoing® resilient rubber surfacing, Vibram Disc Golf products, and shoe repair products.


Vibram S.p.A is headquartered in northern Italy with US offices based in Concord, Mass.