Keen shoes are made in the US.
Hundreds of boots and shoes a day are produced at the factory in Portland, Ore.
Many of the shoe components come from overseas according to the company that operates the Portland facility.There are flag graphics and "American Built" badges stamped on some of the finished footwear to show where the product is assembled.
KEEN takes pride in its domestic factory and offers local manufacturing jobs even if it can't say "Made In The USA."
Government regulations prevent companies from using the term "made in" unless "all or virtually all" parts of a product come from U.S. sources.The Bureau of Consumer Protection has a page onComplying with the Made in USA Standard.
Domestic sources may be difficult or impossible to find for a shoe with dozens of components.
Americans wear footwear made in other countries.The trend of consumers caring more about product origin has brands looking harder at U.S. manufacturing.
Linda Balfour said that building product in the Portland factory is part of a long-term strategy for the brand.In-country facilities can keep a company more responsive to market demands, from design tweaking and product testing to shipping logistics.
I went to see the KEEN factory in action this week.On the edge of town, the building hums with assembly lines and robot arms, one of which I saw snatch a shoe and grind its edge with an articulated arm.
Up to 35 people are employed when busy to build shoes and boots.The company believes it will soon be able to produce 1 million pairs a year.
The Durand WP boot was assembled by workers.There were five main pieces from foreign plants.
There are different parts to a footbed, support shank, and laces.A system of heated chambers, conveyor belts, shoe lasts, grinder, and rotating injection station can spit out a new pair of Durand WP boots in 20 minutes flat.
There are certain steps in the boot-building process that are unique to the U.S. facility.
The company contracts a U.S. supplier to get a special type of foam.According to KEEN, it is more resistant and lighter than traditional polyurethane.
I walked across the manufacturing floor to try on the Durand WPs.
An employee was working with a hammer.A worker used a knife to trim a sole edge.
According to the FTC, footwear was not being made.KEEN and its U.S. workers were building.