ROCKFORD, Mich., Dec. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Wolverine Worldwide
(NYSE: WWW) today hailed the passage of the 2017 National Defense
Authorization Act (NDAA), the defense bill that sets the policy and
spending levels for the fiscal year. Included in the final version
of the NDAA is language directing the Army, Navy, Air Force, and
Marine Corps to comply with the Berry Amendment and provide 100%
American-made athletic footwear to recruits upon their initial
entry to basic training. The Department of Defense has been
providing a cash allowance to new service members for foreign-made
athletic footwear. U.S. Marine recruits have been required to spend
their own funds on these items.
Wolverine Worldwide is the parent company of Saucony, a
manufacturer of high performance running shoes as well as of
Bates footwear, the largest and
most capable provider of combat boots, dress uniform and other
footwear to the military. This legislation will positively
impact footwear manufacturing in Michigan as well as the industrial base
throughout the United States.
Members of the Michigan,
Massachusetts, South Dakota and New Hampshire Congressional
delegations, notably Senator Gary
Peters (D-MI), Senator Debbie
Stabenow (D-MI), Senator Kelly
Ayotte (R-NH), Senator Jeanne
Shaheen (D-NH), Senator Mike
Rounds (R-SD), Senator John
Thune (R-SD), Representative Bill
Huizenga (R-MI), Representative John
Moolenaar (R-MI), Representative Kristi Noem (R-SD), Representative Niki Tsongas (D-MA) and Representative
Jim McGovern (D-MA) have strongly
supported this provision. Their hard work and leadership during
NDAA consideration has ensured that recruits will have access to
high-quality, American-made athletic footwear for military training
and will help expand manufacturing for footwear and related
components throughout the United
States.
"I thank those members of Congress who have worked to sustain
domestic manufacturing and ensure our warfighters train in
American-made footwear," said Blake
Krueger, Wolverine Worldwide's chairman, chief executive
officer and president. "Congressional support for American-made
products for the Department of Defense clearly demonstrates an
understanding of the importance of maintaining a critical
industrial capability within our country and ensures that soldiers,
sailors, airmen and marines will be provided with a choice of
technically advanced, durable, American-made athletic shoes for use
in basic training."
Since 1941, the Berry Amendment has required the Department of
Defense to purchase American-made and sourced clothing, textiles,
foods, and other essential military items for our men and women in
uniform. The purpose of the Berry Amendment is to ensure that
the United States is able to
maintain viable domestic industries to support the needs of the
Armed Services.
Wolverine Worldwide recently expanded its manufacturing plant
located in Big Rapids, Mich., and
employs more than 600 people who proudly build a broad spectrum of
footwear for the Department of Defense. Products manufactured
in Big Rapids include combat boots
for the service branches, mountain combat boots for Special
Operations Forces, and military dress shoes. Wolverine is
adding an advanced manufacturing line for Berry-compliant Saucony
running shoes in preparation for the pursuit of government
awards. The company is looking forward to expanding upon this
American-made athletic footwear capability to serve the Department
of Defense as well as commercial markets.
Saucony is a leading global performance running brand founded in
Pennsylvania in 1898. The
brand is known for its best-in-class design, innovation and
performance technology. Saucony has recently expanded its
technical research laboratory in Waltham,
Massachusetts where the company performs material testing as
well as biomechanical, physiological, and sensory analysis of
runners.
ABOUT WOLVERINE WORLDWIDE
With a commitment to service and product excellence, Wolverine
Worldwide, Inc. is one of the world's leading marketers and
manufacturers of branded casual, active lifestyle, work, outdoor
sport and uniform footwear and apparel. The Company's portfolio of
highly recognized brands includes: Merrell®, Hush Puppies®,
Wolverine®, Sebago®, Chaco®, Bates®, HYTEST®, and Sperry®. The
Company also is the global footwear licensee of popular brands
including CAT® and Harley-Davidson®. The Company's products are
carried by leading retailers in the U.S. and globally in more than
190 countries and territories. For additional information, please
visit our website, www.wolverineworldwide.com.
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SOURCE Wolverine Worldwide