Wolverine World Wide Inc. said U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) is expected to make a news announcement when it tours its footwear manufacturing facility in Big Rapids, MI next week.
Wolverine said the visit and announcement will provide an opportunity to discuss Congressional efforts to maintain and strengthen manufacturing jobs in Big Rapids. The visit comes as footwear companies push Congress to require the Pentagon to source athletic shoes for U.S. military forces from domestic factories. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives passed a Defense appropriations bill this summer than includes such a provision, but the chambers are still trying to resolve differences between their bills in conference committee.
“It’s a ‘must-pass’ bill and could come up in September or the lame duck session after the election,” Outdoor Industry Association Manager of International Trade Rich Harper told SGB Outdoor Update Thursday.
During the tour, which will be hosted by Wolverine World Wide’s Chairman and CEO Blake Krueger, Sen. Peters is scheduled to meet with employees and learn more about the footwear they manufacture, most of which is for the United States military.
Wolverine World Wide is allowing media access to the facility for the first time so they can experience how a shoe is made, speak with manufacturing employees and cover Peters’ visit and announcement.
In additional to Wolverine, the company owns a dozen other footwear brands including Merrell, Saucony, Bates and Cat Footwear.
