New Balance Receives $17.3 Million USD U.S. Military Contract

After years of back-and-forth, the United States Department of Defense has announced a $17.3 million USD contract with New Balance to supply American military personnel with American-made footwear. 1941’s Berry Amendment made it a requirement for the American military to arm soldiers and staff with as much domestically-sourced equipment as possible, but for years only the uniforms were made in America.

Thanks to a big push from Maine’s senators, New Balance’s military-compliant sneakers will become part of regimental wear within months. Not only will this ensure that military personnel wear American-made goods from head to toe, but it will bolster New Balance’s ranks of workers. As New Balance president and CEO Rob DeMartini notes, “This is a great win for the preservation and growth of American manufacturing jobs. This Department of Defense contract confirms New Balance’s long-standing commitment to making shoes in this country and our ability to deliver high-quality American-made athletic footwear for our nation’s servicemen and women.”

New Balance plans to hire more workers along its supply chain to fulfill the contract as the shoes are rolled out in the coming year.

Of course, the company’s bread and butter are its lifestyle and running sneakers, which include the new “Triple Black” M990BB4.