Wolverine World Wide
| 200px | |
| Public | |
| Traded as | NYSE: WWW |
| Industry | Textile |
| Founded | 1883 |
| Founder | G. A. Krause and Fredrick Hirth |
| Headquarters | Rockford, Michigan, U.S. |
|
Key people
|
Blake Krueger, CEO |
| Products | Footwear |
| Subsidiaries | Bates
Grasshoppers Hush Puppies Hytest Safety Footwear Wolverine Boots and Shoes Keds |
| Website | wolverineworldwide.com |
Wolverine World Wide, Inc. or Wolverine Worldwide is an American footwear manufacturer based in Rockford, Michigan, known for their own brand, Wolverine Boots and Shoes, as well as their subsidiaries such as Hush Puppies and Merrell. The company also manufactures footwear for other companies, such as Caterpillar and Harley-Davidson, as well as shoes and boots for the military. In 2012, Wolverine World Wide added Saucony, Keds, Stride Rite and Sperry Top-Sider to their list of subsidiaries after a joint agreement with Blum Capital Partners and Golden Gate Capital acquired the Performance Lifestyle Group of Collective Brands for US$1.23 billion.[1]
Contents
History
Founding and Early Years (1883 to 1959)
The company was founded in 1883 by G. A. Krause and Fredrick Hirth. Fredrick Hirth and Mr. Krause bought a small leather shop in Grand Rapids Michigan. They started with a capital investment of $2,900. In 1901 they decided to build a plant in Rockford Michigan, just north of Grand Rapids. They purchased and expanded the Rogue River Electric Light and Power Company to power their new plant and the city of Rockford. In 1903, operations began and in 1908 a tannery followed. The company now processed its own raw materials, and manufactured its own shoes sold through the Hirth-Krause Company. In 1921 the company changed its name to Wolverine Shoe and Tanning Corporation.From 1916-1923 its earnings increased 700%.[2] [Wolverine World Wide booklet 11/1/1983 "A Tradition of Success"]
In 1941 during World War II, the Wolverine Shoe and Tanning Company began to work for the U.S. Navy, developing pigskin gloves and inventing what later became known as pigskin suede.
Name Change & Expansion (1960 to 1989)
In 1964 the company changed its name to Wolverine Worldwide, Inc. and in 1965 became a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange.[2] Hush Puppies, a casual footwear brand founded by the company, quickly rose to popularity in the 1960s.[2]
Growth & Acquisitions (1990s and 2000s)
In 1994 Wolverine Worldwide introduces the world to Cat Footwear, a licensed brand of shoes using the Caterpillar Inc. name. The new "Walking Machines" are quickly liked and a new fashion finds its way onto city streets.[2] In 1995 Hush Puppies are voted Fashion Accessory of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America. In 1997 the company continues expanding and purchases the Merrell brand and continues building on their portfolio, acquiring the global license for footwear from the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. These acquisitions were then followed by further add-ons in 2003 with the purchase of Sebago and again in 2009 with the acquisition of the Colorado-based footwear brand, Chaco [3] and UK-based brand Cushe.[2]
Present Day
Today the company is led by CEO Blake Krueger. The company has an online accounting service and focus on performance and lifestyle brands that are operated out of offices in Lexington, Massachusetts and Rockford, Michigan. The company also has offices in London, Hong Kong, and Ontario.
Over the years, Wolverine Worldwide has amassed an impressive portfolio of owned and licensed brands including Chaco, Hush Puppies, Merrell, Sebago, Wolverine, Keds (shoes), Sperry Top-Sider, Stride Rite, and Saucony. "From extreme industrial occupational safety footwear, to outdoor high performance outerwear, to everyday accessories, Wolverine Worldwide makes quality products that meet the diverse demands of countless consumers. Each trusted and sought-after brand is committed to quality, its customers, and our collective vision of exciting consumers around the world through innovative footwear and apparel that bring style to purpose." [2]
Brands
Wolverine World Wide Brands
Michigan-based Brands
Wolverine World Wide operates the following owned brands out of its Rockford, MI headquarters:
- Bates
- Chaco[3]
- Grasshoppers
- Hush Puppies
- Hytest Safety Footwear
- Merrell
- Sebago
- Wolverine Boots and Shoes
- Wolverine Leathers
Boston-based Brands
Wolverine World Wide operates the following owned brands out of an office in Lexington, MA:
Licensed Brands
Former Brands
- Patagonia Footwear (formerly licensed)
- Cushe
References
Wolverine World Wide booklet "A Tradition of Success" 11/1/1983
