New Balance’s European manufacturing plant will celebrate its 30th anniversary on 23rd August. The label, founded in America at the beginning of the 20th century, will celebrate the anniversary of the British site by launching three new versions of its 576 model, inspired by three of its manufacturing plant’s longest-serving employees: Billy Edgar, Roy Bell and Andy Mandle.

One of the reworked versions of New Balance’s 576 model, in honour of its European factory’s anniversary.

The limited edition models (priced at 160 euros) will be sold at selected stores.

New Balance’s European factory

Opened in 1982 in Flimby, north of Manchester, New Balance’s European manufacturing plant moved to the neighbouring town of Maryport in 1991 so as to increase in size and response to higher demand. Today a team of 210 people work at the site, producing an average of 28,000 pairs of shoes per week, nearly 1.3 million pairs per year. The site is focused on the production of high-end shoes (with retail prices of over 100 euros) for 40% of the European market. In 2011 New Balance recorded turnover of 2 billion dollars.