Is New Balance a company based in America?
As a company manager, it is important to know where your company’s products are made and who is manufacturing them. This can impact everything from your supply chain management to your brand reputation. In this article, we will explore whether New Balance is based in America or not, and what this means for the company and its customers.
New Balance: A Brief Overview
New Balance is a global sports footwear and apparel company that was founded in 1908 by James Taylor. The company’s headquarters are located in Lawrence, Massachusetts, where it has been manufacturing shoes since its inception. New Balance is known for its high-performance athletic shoes, which are used by athletes of all levels and have won numerous accolades for their quality and comfort.
Is New Balance Based in America?
While New Balance’s headquarters are located in Lawrence, Massachusetts, the company does not manufacture all of its products in the United States. In fact, according to a report by The Boston Globe, New Balance has been outsourcing much of its manufacturing overseas for decades. This is not an unusual practice for global companies, as it often allows them to take advantage of lower labor costs and more efficient production processes in other countries.
The Impact of Outsourcing on New Balance’s Brand
While outsourcing some manufacturing overseas may not necessarily be a bad thing for New Balance, it does have the potential to impact the company’s brand reputation. Many consumers in America are increasingly concerned about issues such as job creation and supporting local businesses, and they may view companies that outsource manufacturing overseas as less patriotic or more interested in profits than people.
Case Studies: The Pros and Cons of Outsourcing
To better understand the pros and cons of outsourcing manufacturing overseas, let’s take a look at some real-life examples from other companies in the sports footwear industry.
What Can New Balance Do?
Given the potential impact that outsourcing can have on a company’s brand reputation, it is clear that New Balance needs to be more transparent about its production processes and make a greater effort to appeal to consumers who are concerned about supporting American manufacturing. This could include things like providing more information about where their products are made, highlighting the benefits of outsourcing (such as lower costs and increased efficiency), and working to address any concerns about labor practices in countries where they outsource production.