Footwear maker New Balance recently unveiled its new $65 million, 120,000-square-foot single-story addition to its athletic footwear factory in Skowhegan, Maine. When the factory broke ground two years ago, the company said the expansion could add about 200 new jobs.
New Balance employs a total of 800 people between manufacturing sites in Skowhegan and Norway and has stores in Skowhegan, Oxford and Kittery, reports MaineBiz.
“This is a great day for Skowhegan, for the entire state of Maine and for the American manufacturing industry. New Balance’s $65 million investment in this factory is a testament to an increased demand for that ‘Made in USA’ label here and around the world, a label New Balance keeps alive and well in the footwear industry,” said Maine Senator Susan Collins. “Here in Maine, shoemaking is more than just a job; it is part of our heritage. Thanks to the dedicated New Balance team, it is also part of our future.”
“We are extremely proud to be part of the Maine business community for more than 40 years,” said Dave Wheeler, chief operating officer at New Balance. “New Balance Central Maine elevates our U.S. manufacturing capabilities and furthers our commitment to our Maine associates for generations ahead.”
“There’s a long, proud history of shoemaking in our state and, with this investment, New Balance is helping to make sure that that heritage lives on for another generation,” added Maine Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02). “This additional manufacturing capacity will support New Balance’s ability to produce high-quality footwear right here in Maine. That’s good news not only for Skowhegan and the company’s hundreds of workers, but for all of us who want to see domestic manufacturing thrive.”
As part of the opening, New Balance announced a $75,000 gift to Main Street Skowhegan to support their River Park project as well as the donation of New Balance trail running and hiking footwear to their Outdoor Gear Lending Library.
The privately held company has 10,000 employees worldwide, and in 2024 reported worldwide sales of $7.8 billion. New Balance owns five athletic footwear factories in New England and one in Flimby, U.K.