Merrell Joins Hanig’s Design Incubator Contest

Merrell Joins Hanig’s Design Incubator Contest to Ignite Innovative Footwear Design

ROCKFORD, Mich. (November 2012) – Merrell and Hanig’s Footwear, among other sponsors, partner in the Hanig Design Incubator contest, inspiring designers to create an original footwear design and win a trip to Portugal. The competition is looking for professional and amateur designers to submit their original design for an opportunity to present their concept to one of the sponsoring brands. The competition will run through December 12. Submit designs at http://www.hanigsdesign.com/.

“We are pleased to work with Hanig’s Design Incubator to see the new talent in the industry,” says Steve Peterson, vice president of sales at Merrell. “It will be exciting to give this opportunity to both professional and amateur designers and see what we can bring to fruition to truly innovate in footwear design.”
The Hanig’s Design Incubator will name two winners. The Grand Prize winner will be determined by a committee vote while the second winner will be determined by popular vote through online voting. The Grand Prize winning designer will fly to Portugal to meet with the management of the popular brand Fly London and then return to the United States to one of the sponsor’s design headquarters that best complements the style and attributes of the winning shoe design to present their concept. Online voting for the second winner will be done at http://www.hanigsdesign. This winner will receive $1,000 in cash, $1,000 in Hanig’s Footwear merchandise & exposure to industry experts and influencers with major footwear brands.

Hanig’s Footwear has been one of the most prominent footwear retailers in the industry. Peter Hanig’s keen eye for functional, stylish designs has earned him ranking in the top 100 influencers in the industry by Footwear News. Now, Hanig’s Footwear is out to find the next best and brightest in shoe design.


Merrell® is a brand within the Outdoor Group, a division of Wolverine World Wide, Inc. that also includes Chaco and Patagonia Footwear. Merrell believes in encouraging everyone to get outside, be active and have fun. The Brand’s mission is to increase youth participation in the outside through causes like Outdoor Nation and national events like the Merrell Down and Dirty Mud Run Series. Wolverine World Wide, Inc. is headquartered in Rockford, Michigan. The company’s portfolio of highly recognized brands includes: Bates®, Chaco, Cushe®, Hush Puppies®, Keds®, Merrell®, Saucony®, Sebago®, Sprerry Top-Sider®, Stride Rite® and Wolverine��®. The Company is also the exclusive footwear licensee of the following popular brands: CAT®, Harley-­‐Davidson® and Patagonia®. The Company’s products are carried by leading retailers in the U.S. and globally in nearly 180 countries and territories. Merrell, 9341 Courtland Drive, Rockford, Mich. 49351. Phone: (800) 789-­‐8586; Fax: (888) 746-­‐3329. FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/merrell TWITTER: @merrelloutside.