Red Wing Shoe Co.

The discovery of oil in North Africa in the early 1950s was the tipping point that launched Red Wing Shoe Company as a global company. Former President and Chairman of the Board W.D. Sweasy took interest in Libya and how to best meet the safety needs of workers in this emerging market and by 1961, Red Wing Shoe Company took the bold step of shipping product directly to Libya. “In an imaginative export venture, [Red Wing Shoes] also is serving the 20,000 Americans now living in Libya [...]" Red Wing Daily Republican Eagle, August 23, 1963 In 1963, Sweasy deployed the first Red Wing Shoe Company employee (Harold Packwood) in Beirut to build relationships in the Middle East. That lead to a business strategy that the company continues to follow 60 years later. Learn more about the History of Red Wing Shoe Company at https://lnkd.in/gvvd5-Z6   Pictured – Harold Packwood at the first Red Wing Shoe Store in Libya. Images courtesy of Red Wing Shoe Company Corporate Archives.

At Red Wing Shoe Company, we take pride in our longstanding tradition of crafting durable and reliable PPE (personal protective equipment) for those serving in the skilled trades around the world. Recently, we had the privilege of hosting one of the largest traveling groups of distributors and safety professionals from Libya's energy industry to visit our headquarters in Red Wing, MN since our founding in 1905.   It was an honor to share our heritage, values, and commitment to quality with such a talented group of professionals. From touring our manufacturing facilities to engaging in insightful discussions about safety, innovation, and craftsmanship, the visit was a memorable exchange of knowledge and experiences.   As we continue to support industries that power the world, we're grateful for the opportunity to connect with global partners who share our dedication to excellence. Thank you to our guests for making the journey, and we look forward to strengthening our bonds in the future!

Thank you to our talented summer interns; Lauren Chukel in the Setter Fifty, Clara Martinson in the Iron Ranger, Adam Perry in the Blacksmith; and Will Martin in the Shop Moc Oxford; for their hard work and positive impact on our Product Creation, Software Development, Engineering and Finance teams this summer. Your dedication and contributions have been truly appreciated!

We’ll be at the Safety 2024 Conference + Expo through Friday. Stop by booth #1209 to learn more about our commitment to safety on the work site. #Safety24 

Red Wing Shoe Company has transformed the 5.5-acre lawn in front of its local Minnesota manufacturing plant into a vibrant native prairie habitat. The project, designed for pollinators and wildlife, benefits the environment while promoting a healthier and more sustainable workplace. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gPehva-n

Building a strong safety culture is an essential regardless of your industry. It takes considerable time, effort, and financial investment. Of course, every safety professional wants to keep their workers safe and protected from the hazards and rigors of the job but determining the ROI of a safety initiative hasn’t always been easy to pin down. Unlock the true ROI of safety with our comprehensive online guide. Discover how to evaluate data and dollars effectively to ensure your safety investments yield maximum returns. Click the link to download your copy today. https://lnkd.in/gXeGaCU8

From manufacturing floor to market, it takes a lot of hands, time, and exceptional craftsmanship to create a product that meets the rigorous demands of today's job sites. Introducing our latest innovation: SuperSole X - Next- Level durability for demanding job sites. Click the link to learn more.   Link: https://lnkd.in/gE8j4Baf

One way to help make your boots last, is by having them repaired. Our Repair Shop, located right here in Red Wing, MN, offers a variety of repair services such as, resoling, repairing broken eyelets or lace hooks, and leather conditioning, just to name a few. Our skilled craftsman, provide a hands-on approach to every repair, so you can be sure your boots will arrive back good as new. Check out our repair services here: https://lnkd.in/g8thm8En and see the recent article in the Republican Eagle https://lnkd.in/g8rZfi9y

Our consumers expect durable products built for purpose with consideration for their impact on people and planet. Through partnerships and innovative design, we incorporate natural, recycled, and upcycled materials into our products. Extensive testing is done internally and externally to ensure that they perform as intended. We are proud of the steps we are taking to prioritize sustainable materials across our products and are excited to share more updates on our path forward in the future. Learn more about our sustainable footwear at (redwingshoes.com)

Here at Red Wing Shoe Company, we were thrilled to host the Growing GRASS project kickoff, a USDA Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities, at our Red Wing, MN facilities this spring. This visit marked the beginning of an exciting collaboration aimed at enhancing the value of regeneratively grazed beef and bison for producers, people, and the planet. The Growing GRASS project adds value to regeneratively raised livestock byproducts, which our tannery transforms into leather. This collaboration boosts supply chain profitability and encourages more farmers to adopt regenerative practices. During their visit to Red Wing, MN, we toured our tannery S.B Foot, and our footwear manufacturing plant. We rounded out the day with a tour of a local farm using regenerative practices, and meat processing facility. It was an incredible start to a promising partnership. To learn more about this incredible initiative, check out the Growing GRASS Project here: https://www.ggrass.org/ Photo Credit: Greene Photography LLC