New Balance opens new manufacturing facility in Methuen, MA

By

Benjamin Fitzgerald

Published
Mar 29, 2022

Sportswear giant New Balance announced on Monday the opening of a new footwear manufacturing facility in Massachusetts, as the U.S. company homes in on its made-in-America capabilities.

Located in Methuen, MA, the new ​80,000-square-foot facility, which underwent a $20 million renovation, began production in January 2022, according to the Boston-based New Balance, and signals the company's commitment to American manufacturing and craftsmanship.

The new Methuen factory also highlights the company’s investment in innovation and machinery combined with the integration of lean manufacturing processes to enable a responsive 'MADE U.S.' supply network, the company said in a press release.

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“Manufacturing has always been an important part of our company culture,” said Joe Preston, New Balance president and CEO. 

“Our associates have proven that high-quality athletic footwear can be produced in the U.S. Their skilled craftsmanship and dedication to continuous improvement will help us meet our significant U.S. and global consumer demand and drive our continued business growth.”

The Methuen facility employs some 90 workers, to produce the brand’s MADE 990v5 running shoe. New Balance said it has plans to more than double the current workforce and production capabilities by the end of the year. 

“We believe our commitment to domestic manufacturing drives innovation, capitalizes on consumer trends and provides new market opportunities,” said Dave Wheeler, New Balance chief operating officer. 

“The opening of NB Methuen significantly expands our owned manufacturing capacity and furthers our efforts to have a best-in-class value chain.”

With the addition of New Balance Methuen, New Balance owns five manufacturing facilities in Maine and Massachusetts where approximately 1,000 U.S. workers are employed at various stages of production.