KEEN Footwear Expands USA Manufacturing Commitment Increases Portland, Ore. Production by 26%; Expands Partnership with Nester Hosiery

PORTLAND, Ore. (Jan. 29, 2020) – ​KEEN Inc (KEEN), the global footwear brand on a mission to make outside and the trades accessible to all, commits to manufacturing more products in the U.S. with two key announcements for Q1. First KEEN is increasing its U.S. production by 26% driven by strong demand for its “American Built” Utility boots and premium hikers assembled in Portland, Oregon. In addition, KEEN is expanding its relationship with Nester Hosiery, a KEEN partner of 14 years, known for crafting premium outdoor socks in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Specifically, Nester Hosiery will develop, manufacture and distribute new designs for men’s, women’s, and youth socks for KEEN Casual and KEEN Utility brands. For fall 2021, KEEN socks will be available for purchase on www.keenfootwear.com and at retail locations nationwide.

“Built in America has never been more important,” said Erik Burbank, vice president of the KEEN Effect. “We’re excited to increase the number of boots we build in our Portland factory. We continued to invest in technology to ensure the facility is state-of-the-art and our talented team puts heart and soul into every pair of boots and sandals they assemble. We’re equally excited to expand our relationship with Nester, one of our most trusted partners. Through this partnership, we’ll help ensure KEEN socks will continue to be made in America.”

Based in Mt. Airy, North Carolina, Nester Hosiery has been manufacturing socks for leading outdoor brands since 1993 with an emphasis on merino wool. Nester Hosiery has a broad range of knitting capabilities at its technologically and sustainable driven facility. In 2018 it became the first sock manufacturer in the United States to join the bluesign® system.

In addition to www.keenfootwear.com, the collection will be distributed at major department, specialty, sporting goods, uniform and workwear, footwear specialty, and military stores throughout the United States.

“KEEN is one of our longest standing partners and we share the same core values,” said Kelly Nester, Nester Hosiery chief executive officer. “This new direction in our relationship enables us to give customers a broader range of functional and versatile socks while growing the KEEN brands.”

About Nester Hosiery

Nester Hosiery – the world’s most technologically advanced outdoor sock producer – designs and manufactures the most innovative socks in the world. The company is located in Mount Airy, North Carolina, near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where it is an important employer and economic driver for the area. Nester Hosiery is a key manufacturer in the outdoor industry, operating state-of-the-art knitting, finishing, and packaging equipment to make premium outdoor performance socks for leading outdoor brands and retailers as well as under its own brands. Customers value the company’s superior manufacturing capabilities as well as its commitment to social and environmental responsibility. Learn more at www.nesterhosiery.com.

About KEEN

Driven by a passion to make the outside and trades accessible for all, KEEN is a values-led, family-owned footwear brand from Portland, Oregon committed to creating original and versatile products, enhancing lives, and inspiring adventures outside. Founded in 2003, it launched a revolution in the footwear industry with the debut of the Newport adventure sandal. It continues to launch game-changing products and establish new standards for performance, comfort, and design. The brand formalized its values commitment under the banner of The KEEN Effect, with a mission to make outside and the trades more accessible for all, through community, activism and the protection of the places its fans work and play. Learn more at www.keenfootwear.com

Media Contact:
Danielle Donovan, CGPR
danielle@cgprpublicrelations.com
603-560-4303