ROCKFORD, Mich., Oct. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Wolverine
Worldwide (NYSE: WWW) yesterday broke ground on a 16,000 square
foot expansion to the company's Big
Rapids manufacturing facility, adding a new raw materials
receiving warehouse. Company leadership noted the support of Rep.
Bill Huizenga (R-2nd
District) and Rep. John Moolenaar
(R-4th District) and the rest of the Michigan delegation, which has played a major
role in adding more than 250 new jobs in the Big Rapids manufacturing plant over this past
year. This expansion provides much-needed additional capacity while
creating opportunities for Wolverine to operate more efficiently.
Wolverine Worldwide Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
President Blake W. Krueger said, "As
a company, we are fortunate to have our Members of Congress here in
West Michigan, Rep. Bill Huizenga and Rep. John Moolenaar, engaged and working hard to
expand opportunities to create good-paying, American jobs. As
evidence of their hard work and dedication to our region, our
company again was able to host both Representatives to break ground
on the first expansion project at our manufacturing facility."
Krueger continued, "Rep. Huizenga and Rep. Moolenaar have
repeatedly demonstrated their commitment to their constituents by
supporting initiatives to increase manufacturing opportunities that
help grow our workforce in Michigan. We are grateful for their continued
support in Washington and for
making this growth opportunity a reality. We look forward to
creating good paying manufacturing jobs in Big Rapids long into the future."
Built in 1964, the Wolverine Worldwide Big Rapids manufacturing
plant originally produced Wolverine and Hush Puppies branded footwear.
Today, this 80,000 square foot facility produces Bates brand
American-made footwear for the military as well as quality Made in
the U.S.A. footwear for the
Wolverine, HYTEST, and Merrell
brands. As a sign of continued commitment to the local community
and the workforce in Big Rapids,
Wolverine will be expanding the
facility by 16,000 square feet. This expansion will increase the
level of quality that Bates Footwear provides to our armed service
men and women while expanding the Wolverine footprint in Michigan. Wolverine Worldwide is targeting
completion of the expansion work in early 2017.
ABOUT WOLVERINE
WORLDWIDE
With a commitment to service and product excellence, Wolverine
Worldwide, Inc. is one of the world's leading marketers of branded
casual, active lifestyle, work, outdoor sport, athletic, children's
and uniform footwear and apparel. The Company's portfolio of
highly recognized brands includes: Merrell®, Sperry
Top-Sider®, Hush Puppies®,
Saucony®, Wolverine®, Keds®,
Stride Rite®, Sebago®, Chaco®,
Bates®, HYTEST®, and Soft
Style®. The Company also is the global footwear
licensee of popular brands including
Cat®, Harley-Davidson®. The Company's
products are carried by leading retailers in the U.S. and globally
in approximately 200 countries and territories. For additional
information, please visit our website,
www.wolverineworldwide.com.
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SOURCE Wolverine Worldwide