New Balance celebrated the grand opening of New Balance Central Maine, its recently expanded athletic footwear factory located in Skowhegan, Maine, on Monday, September 22, 2025. This milestone reinforces the company’s deep-rooted commitment to US manufacturing.
Leadership Emphasizes Local Focus
“U.S. manufacturing has always been at the core of our company culture,”said Joe Preston, New Balance president and CEO. “We believe that when we think global but act local, we can better serve the communities where our associates live and work, while also enhancing our focus on the craftsmanship and quality integral to our global business”.
Details of the $65 Million Expansion
The company invested $65 million in adding a 120,000-square-foot, single-story expansion to the existing five-story factory building that it purchased in 1981. Additionally, 20,000 square feet of the existing building is being renovated to increase operational capacity.
Employment and Manufacturing
New Balance Central Maine now employs 400 workers focused on producing the MADE line of athletic shoes within the U.S. manufacturing segment. This expansion by New Balance reflects increased demand for footwear bearing the ‘Made in USA’ label.
Political Support and Heritage
Maine Senator Susan Collins lauded the company’s investment, stating: “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. 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.”
Senator Angus King noted, “Maine has a long tradition of manufacturing and producing high-quality goods, including footwear. The talented men and women who work at New Balance are an important part of that legacy. Thanks to this new $65 million investment in the Skowhegan manufacturing facility, New Balance will be able to continue making shoes in Maine for years to come. I am excited to support this project in addition to the added jobs that will be available for Maine people. Now, even more people across the country will be able to experience the quality of ‘Maine-made’ products. It’s a win-win.”
Congressman Jared Golden expressed similar sentiments by highlighting the long and proud shoemaking history in Maine and the importance of sustaining domestic manufacturing for future generations.
New Balance’s Commitment to Maine
Dave Wheeler, Chief Operating Officer at New Balance, stated, “We are extremely proud to be part of the Maine business community for more than 40 years. New Balance Central Maine elevates our U.S. manufacturing capabilities and furthers our commitment to our Maine associates for generations ahead”.
Broader Manufacturing Footprint and Workforce
In addition to Central Maine, New Balance operates five vertically integrated manufacturing plants across Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire (with a facility opening in Fall 2025), employing approximately 1,200 U.S. workers. An additional 600 workers are employed across New Balance’s Central Maine and Norway factories and retail locations in Kittery, Oxford, and Skowhegan, ME—further anchoring the company’s extensive U.S. manufacturing footprint.
New Balance reports that its MADE footwear—manufactured domestically—contains a domestic value of 70 percent or more, though this represents a limited portion of the company’s total U.S. sales.
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