New Balance has opened its expanded Central Maine facility in Skowhegan, marking a $65m investment that reinforces the company’s long-standing commitment to American manufacturing.
The expansion adds a 120,000-square-foot, single-story wing to the existing five-story factory building purchased by the company in 1981. An additional 20,000 square feet of the original facility is also being renovated. The site now employs 400 associates producing the brand’s popular MADE athletic footwear, part of a U.S. manufacturing network that sets New Balance apart as the only major athletic shoe company still operating factories domestically.
“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 the craftsmanship and quality that drive our global business.”
The expansion drew praise from Maine’s congressional delegation, who emphasized its impact on the regional economy and the state’s shoemaking heritage.
Senator Susan Collins described the opening as “a great day for Skowhegan, for the entire state of Maine, and for the American manufacturing industry,” adding that the new capacity underscores rising demand for the “Made in USA” label.
Senator Angus King highlighted both the jobs created and the legacy of quality manufacturing in Maine, calling the project “a win-win” for workers and consumers alike. Congressman Jared Golden echoed the sentiment, noting that the investment would help sustain a tradition of shoemaking “for another generation.”
The project reflects New Balance’s broader efforts to modernize its U.S. operations. Alongside the physical expansion, the company is integrating lean manufacturing processes and advanced automation to boost productivity, enhance safety, and support a demand-driven domestic supply network.
Dave Wheeler, Chief Operating Officer, said the investment “elevates our U.S. manufacturing capabilities and furthers our commitment to our Maine associates for generations ahead.”
As part of the factory’s opening, New Balance announced a $75,000 donation to Main Street Skowhegan to support its River Park project, along with footwear contributions to the town’s Outdoor Gear Lending Library.
“New Balance has always been strongly committed to our local Maine communities,” said Nate Nixon, Regional Manufacturing Manager. “We’re excited to support a project that will benefit residents and the local economy.”
Kristina Cannon, President and CEO of Main Street Skowhegan, described the contributions as both an investment in the town’s future and “a testament to New Balance’s leadership as a community partner.”
The Skowhegan site joins four other New Balance manufacturing facilities in Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire (opening in 2025), where roughly 1,200 workers cut, mold, sew, and assemble materials into finished footwear. About 600 associates are employed across New Balance’s Central Maine and Norway factories, as well as at retail locations in Kittery, Oxford, and Skowhegan.
New Balance’s MADE line, which contains at least 70 percent domestic value, represents a limited but important share of U.S. sales. The brand’s ongoing investments underscore its position as the last major athletic shoe manufacturer maintaining production operations in the United States.
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