Military made-in-USA provision could be boost to New Balance

Dec. 15, 2016 – The director of manufacturing at New Balance says a made-in-USA provision for athletic footwear for military recruits could mean an additional 250,000 sneakers a year.

The Morning Sentinel reports Brendan Melley touted the figure Wednesday as three members of Maine’s congressional delegation visited a factory in Skowhegan.

Republican Bruce Poliquin marshalled the made-in-USA provision effort with Massachusetts Democrat Niki Tsongas in the House. Republican Susan Collins and independent Angus King did likewise in the Senate.

The provision applies the Berry Amendment to athletic shoes. The amendment requires the Department of Defence to give preference to homegrown products.

Massachusetts-based New Balance is the only major athletic shoe company making its footwear in the United States. It employs 900 people at Maine factories in  kowhegan, Norridgewock and Norway.

Democratic President Barack Obama’s signature is required and expected.