Boots crafted in the USA to be launched for Holiday 2012 as part of the Mike Rowe Works by Cat Footwear collection
ROCKFORD, Mich., July 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ — Cat® Footwear announced today they are launching a new Mike Rowe Works by Cat Footwear work boot made in the USA for the holiday 2012 collection. As part of their partnership with Mike Rowe –creator, host and executive producer of Discovery Channel’s popular television show ‘Dirty Jobs’ — Cat Footwear will be manufacturing the Made in the USA work boots in the Wolverine World Wide plant in Big Rapids, Michigan.
“Manufacturing a work boot in the United States under the Mike Rowe Works name was important to Mike,” says Kelly Ballou, Marketing Manager for Cat Footwear. “He is very passionate about the skilled trades and honoring the American worker. We felt strongly that a Made in the USA work boot with his name on it was a necessary part of this collection.”
According to Rowe, “In a perfect world, every American Worker would wear a pair of boots made in the USA. Well, the world isn’t perfect, but these boots are a step in the right direction,” says Rowe. “I want to help return manufacturing jobs to this country, even if it means doing it one boot at a time.”
Rowe continues, “Best of all, a portion of every purchase will go directly to the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, which, in addition to other things, helps buy tools for American Workers who take the time to learn a skill or master a trade.” Adds Ballou, “Cat Footwear is happy to donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of these work boots to the mikeroweWORKS Foundation.” According to Ballou, the donated funds will be used to establish tool scholarships for skilled trade students.
Cat Footwear and Mike Rowe first teamed up in the fall of 2011 to create the Mike Rowe Works by Cat Footwear collection, a line of work boots created from Rowe’s experience on more than 300 of the dirtiest jobs in America. The Made in the USA collection will feature a classic eight inch work boot in both a steel and non-steel toe version. All of the components of the work boot – from the leather uppers to the laces to the stitching and the shoe boxes – are sourced and made right here in the USA. The work boots will retail for $300 – $350.
Ballou acknowledges, “These work boots are expensive. But the consumer who buys these work boots will not only be getting the quality of the Cat brand and the durability that Mike Rowe demands. They will also be buying the craftsmanship of their fellow American worker.”
The Made in the USA boot will be available at select retailers and online at www.catfootwear.com in time for the 2012 holiday season.
About Cat Footwear
Cat Footwear produces shoes and boots that represent the long-standing values of the Cat® and Caterpillar® brands. Known globally for manufacturing high quality work and rugged casual footwear, the company is committed to developing innovative comfort, durability and technology features. Cat Footwear is a division of Wolverine Worldwide, a global licensee of Caterpillar Inc. Brand and product information is available online at www.catfootwear.com.
About mikeroweWORKS
mikeroweWORKS is Mike Rowe’s website and “PR campaign for hard work and skilled labor.” Its purpose is to call attention to the growing skills gap in the trades, provide comprehensive resources for anyone looking to explore those vocations, as well as focus the country on the very real issues facing our trade workers, miners and farmers. In addition to the trade resource center, Mike has established The mikeroweWORKS Foundation to help fund scholarship programs and other initiatives that reinvigorate trade school enrollments and industrial arts programs around the country. The website also includes Mike’s blog, videos and photos. www.mikeroweWORKS.com
About Wolverine Worldwide
With a commitment to service and product excellence, Wolverine Worldwide is one of the world’s leading marketers of branded casual, active lifestyle, work, outdoor sport and uniform footwear and apparel. The Company’s portfolio of highly recognized brands includes: Bates®, Chaco®, Cushe™, Hush Puppies®, HYTEST®, Merrell®, Sebago® Soft Style® and Wolverine®. The Company also is the exclusive footwear licensee of the well-known brands Cat®, Harley-Davidson® and Patagonia®. The Company’s products are carried by leading retailers in the U.S. and globally in 190 countries and territories. For additional information, please visit our website, www.wolverineworldwide.com/
Media Contact: kelly ballou Cat Footwear, 6168633818, kelly.ballou@wwwinc.com
News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com
SOURCE Cat Footwear
7 Comments
Where are the made in USA boots for Women?????
This is all wonderful, fantastic and great, but there is still one flaw… there are no women sizes.
My grandfather owned a heavy equipment rental company and when I was younger, I have driven and operated CAT machinery. I too have darned the steel toed work-boot, tool belt and the hard hat (occasionally). I have not only walked onto many construction sites but have also worked on those sites. I had the skilled knowledge, used the tools and got the job done.
Now, due to certain ailments, those days are over for me, but I am not alone as a woman skilled with same knowledge and ability.
I also understand that mrW SUPPORTS both men and WOMEN of and for skilled labor… So why do women “get the boot” (sort of speak and pun intended) to get the boot in our sizes?
Personally speaking I wear a size 6 in men’s boots, but they are made too wide for my narrow foot. My foot slides from side to side and I eventually acquire a blister or two, so I stopped wearing men’s boots. Again, I am not alone with this issue. Quite frankly, women tend to have a more narrow foot than a man.
I am all for promoting these boots… made in the USA and proceeds go for a good cause and I will encourage others to purchase them, but I also believe if mrW is supporting women of skilled labor, then maybe these boots should be made for them as well.
That is really cool Mike. Congratulations!
That is just AWESOME!!!!
I already have a wolverine coat and vest-) They are nice products and I’ll bet the boots are good too.
Congratulations Mike and everyone at mrW on this endeavor. And as always, thank you for all you do.
Busy man. I have to remember to ask for a pair of work boots for Christmas.