United States Footwear Manufacturers Association - USFMA

Massachusetts is home to remarkable footwear manufacturers like New Balance, which just opened a new factory here in Lawrence. Grateful for the opportunity to talk members of the United States Footwear Manufacturers Association - USFMA about the importance of supporting products Made in America!

Live from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)'s Troop Support Clothing & Textile's 2021 Joint Advanced Briefing for Industry (JAPBI) from the Crowne Plaza Philadelphia-Cherry Hill. Looking forward to seeing the Berry Amendment footwear industrial base and learning more about upcoming military footwear activity!

Great video from our friends National Council of Textile Organizations on how the US industry is addressing our national need for and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg-qQjt3sCY

American Textiles American Textiles: The Story of American-made PPE

Great news: Congresswoman Lori Trahan and Rep. John Curtis have introduced a Made in USA bill in the House. Another bipartisan and pro-domestic manufacturing effort. This legislation will help both footwear and other US manufacturers. USFMA strongly endorses this bill and its companion in the Senate from United States Senator Mike Lee and Senator Angus S. King, Jr.. https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2251

Trahan, Curtis Lead Introduction of “Made in America” Legislation WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03) and Congressman John Curtis (R-UT-03), both members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, introduced the Reinforcing American-Made Products Act, bipartisan and bicameral legislation that bolsters American manufacturing by est...

Congratulations United States Senator Mike Lee and Senator Angus S. King, Jr. for the passage of important Made in the U.S.A. legislation in the Senate. Your bipartisan and pro-manufacturing bill will promote more domestic manufacturing in footwear and beyond - https://www.lee.senate.gov/2021/9/sens-lee-king-s-made-in-usa-bill-passes-senate

Sens. Lee, King’s Made in USA Bill Passes Senate The United States Senate unanimously passed Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Angus King’s (I-ME) Reinforcing American-Made Products Act which establishes a national standard for products to be labeled “Made in USA” in interstate commerce.

One of the many challenges domestic footwear manufacturers face is tariff engineering by importers. Basically foreign footwear manufacturers will tweak their shoes to qualify for a lower tariff rate than what they should be paying. This circumvents our tariff system which is critical to an import sensitive industry like footwear manufacturing. USFMA works with Congress and the US Customs and Border Protection to fight tariff engineering. It's a pretty esoteric subject -- but shout to to designsecretsss on TikTok for this explanation of tariff engineering: https://www.tiktok.com//video/6987142137796152582?sender_device=pc&sender_web_id=6912021216559859206&is_from_webapp=v1&is_copy_url=0

Why some #sneakers have fabric on their soles #designsecrets #design #taxes #photography #fypシ Design Secrets () has created a short video on TikTok with music Lofi. | Why some have fabric on their soles | What is tariff engineering ? | Sneaker tax - 37.5% | Sippers tax - 3%

Great piece highlighting New Balance's recent drive-thru job fair in Maine. Fantastic to see the company's commitment to making shoes in the United States.

https://www.mainebiz.biz/article/new-balances-us-manufacturing-chief-bullish-on-drive-thru-job-fairs-retails-rebound

New Balance's US manufacturing chief bullish on drive-thru job fairs, retail's rebound In this Q&A with Mainebiz, a company executive sheds light on a novel job recruitment approach and hiring plans for its three factories in Maine.

More news coverage of USFMA Member New Balance working with Congresswoman Lori Trahan and local groups to improve the Merrimack River Trail in Lawrence, MA. This is a great event leading up to and will improve the public's ability to walk along the Merrimack River -- hopefully in footwear manufactured at New Balance's Lawrence plant.

Trahan, New Balance officials tout Lawrence trail extension LAWRENCE — Groundwork Lawrence kicked off its Earth Day celebration a bit early Monday with Congresswoman Lori Trahan, D-Westford, at an event to celebrate the upcoming extension of the rail

Congratulations New Balance! Great work!

A shout out to our friends at Psudo Snkrs who are making American made sneakers out of recyclable materials. While the laces and stitching might be printed on and "pseudo", the shoes themselves are authentically great. The slips on sneakers are great for the summer: https://psudo.com/

Psudo Sneakers made in USA Made in USA sneakers, eco friendly, slip on, comfortable shoes,

Great article from GearJunkie on some fantastic U.S. footwear companies making the best work boots in the world including Rocky Brands, Inc., Danner, Carolina Boots, Nicks Handmade Boots, White's Boots, Red Wing Heritage, and KEEN.

https://gearjunkie.com/footwear/best-made-in-usa-work-boots

Made-in-the-USA Work Boots That Walk the Talk | GearJunkie America's story is built on the heels of solid work boots made in the USA. Learn more about the best work boots made in America!

Congratulations to Portia Blunt on her new position with Reebok. We hope that Portia's passion for the US military servicemembers and domestic manufacturing of footwear continue in her new role: https://www.just-style.com/news/reebok-hires-new-balance-exec-to-lead-apparel-team_id140887.aspx

Reebok hires New Balance exec to lead apparel team Reebok has tapped former New Balance executive Portia Blunt to head up its apparel team.

Informative and thought provoking piece in Innovation In Textiles by Marie O'Mahony on President Joe Biden's plan to the US textile and apparel industries which share much of the same DNA as the US footwear manufacturing industry: https://www.innovationintextiles.com/industry-talk/building-back-better-for-us-textiles-and-apparel/

Latest Technical Textiles Industry News Business and company news from the global technical textiles industry including, new product launches, financial results, trading updates, appointments, mergers and acquisitions, and industry events.

Great news for the Berry Amendment footwear industry and supply chain! Senator Shaheen has been a champion of domestic manufacturing and ensuring that the troops receive the best possible equipment -- including footwear. We are excited that Bryan is now part of SMI!

SMI is pleased to announce that Bryan Maxwell has joined our team as a Vice President. Bryan most recently worked for Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire as her Senior Defense Policy Advisor. He brings to SMI years of experience working on the annual National Defense Authorization Acts and Defense Appropriations bills. To learn more: https://www.strategicmi.com/news/press-releases/bryan-maxwell-joins-smi-as-vice-president/

USFMA joined with the National Council of Textile Organizations and other industry associations fighting for American manufacturers to weigh with the Biden Administration on ensuring that our nation has the resources and the policies to produce lifesaving PPE: https://www.usfma.org/news/2021/01/29/news/usfma-signs-ppe-coalition-letter-outlining-policy-recommendations/

United States Footwear Manufacturers Association - USFMA Signs PPE Coalition Letter Outlining Policy Recommendations The United States Footwear Manufacturers Association (USFMA) is a nonprofit 501(c)(6) association founded in 1986 to protect and enhance the footwear industry’s manufacturing base in the United States.

Great to see Congresswoman Lori Trahan at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center groundbreaking for the new Squad Performance Research Institute (S2PRINT). USFMA and its members are proud to support the important military footwear development that happens at Natick Labs.

USFMA members look forward to working with the Army and UMass Lowell on military footwear research issues: https://www.facebook.com/jacquiefmoloney/posts/3225782514210446

Great news! Congratulations SMI!

Big news: Bill Berl has joined SMI as a Vice President. Check out the press release: https://www.strategicmi.com/news/press-releases/bill-berl-joins-smi-as-vice-president/

Some coverage on the PPE industry principles supported by USFMA and other trade associations supporting an American manufacturing industrial base.

US coalition calls for strong rules for govt PPE purchases An US industry coalition representing the full spectrum of personal protective equipment (PPE) production recently urged the government to create strong domestic procurement...

Many USFMA members have pivoted from footwear manufacturing to help address the shortfalls in personal protection equipment or PPE. We are proud to join with other leading associations to establish a statement of principles on building a sustainable PPE industry here in the US:

USFMA Supports Safeguarding Domestic PPE Manufacturing USFMA signs onto a joint statement showing support for domestic PPE manufacturers.

Patricia Rojas-Ungar will a great addition to SMI Inc.'s USFMA team!

Patricia Rojas-Ungar Joins SMI as Vice President July 7, 2020: Strategic Marketing Innovations (SMI) today announced that Patricia Rojas-Ungar has joined the firm as a Vice President.

USFMA was proud to join with other industry groups to advocate for temporary federal support for retailers. Our members need stores to open to sell our high quality, American made footwear.

USFMA Supports Emergency Temporary Federal Reinsurance for Trade Credit Insurance Market USFMA has joined with a number of other industry associations and trade groups to call for the establishment of an emergency, temporary federal commercial trade credit insurance backstop to help ameliorate the credit crisis.

Great oped in The New York Times by the United States Trade Representative on Reshoring American Manufacturing:

Opinion | The Era of Offshoring U.S. Jobs Is Over The pandemic, and Trump’s trade policy, are accelerating a trend to bring manufacturing back to America.

Congresswoman Lori Trahan represents a number of USFMA members that have answered the call on PPE production including New Balance and Dela Inc.

Building an industrial base to protect America’s public health It is shocking that hospitals in Massachusetts lack the equipment they need to treat the surge of patients suffering from COVID-19, and maddening that so many brave frontline health care workers la…

Great to see the New England footwear and textile industry step up during this critical time:

Manufacturing a coronavirus defense: companies like L.L. Bean transition to medical gear production - The Boston Globe Numerous manufacturers across New England, from iconic brands to specialty shops, are pivoting to making protective gear desperately needed in the battle against the highly contagious coronavirus.

Keeping a strong manufacturing base in the United States is important for our economy, our workforce and during times of national emergency like with COVID-19. The best way to get innovative products like new Personal Protective Equipment or PPE, like a face mask, is to make it America. USFMA is proud to represent footwear manufacturers like New Balance and members of the supply chain like Dela Inc. that have quickly developed a face mask for our nation's health care and other essential workers.

New Balance on Twitter “All hands on deck. Our U.S. factories are working to develop, manufacture and deliver facial masks to the hospital community. To learn more, visit: https://t.co/qxQ3uqBIyE”

The economic impact of the pandemic is slowing the flow of commerce including critical components to the American footwear manufacturing industry. These extraordinary times call for measures including a temporary deferral of duty payments that will increase cash flow and enable manufacturers to keep operating.

USFMA Supports Temporary Duty Deferral Measure Will Provide Cash Flow To American Businesses At Critical Time

New Balance doing the right thing to help those in need during the COVID-19 emergency:

New Balance Pledges $2M USD to Support COVID-19 Relief Efforts The company will dole out grants to nonprofit organizations.

Way to go Rocky Brands, Inc.!

CEOs on Coronavirus: Rocky Brands’ Jason Brooks on the Critical Role of Work & Duty Shoes Rocky Brands is committed to serving the coronavirus healthcare workers and first responders.

Thank you to Congresswoman Lori Trahan and many other strong supports of . USFMA's Capitol Hill Day was a great opportunity to interact with our Congressional representation and their great staffers.