We are pleased to bring you the latest edition of Sole Source!

It was an eventful summer for USFMA and we’re headed into the remainder of 2025 with a full agenda. 

We are continuing to advocate for key federal investments and incentives to boost new manufacturing processes and technologies, to close the loophole in the Berry Amendment that allows our troops to wear foreign, poorly made combat boots, and preparing to convene our membership at Red Wing Shoe Co. in Minnesota to plot strategy for next year. 

‘Bedrock part of our national security’: USFMA Executive Director Bill McCann took USFMA’s message on the road in September to the Sourcing Journal Fall Summit in New York, where he participated in a panel discussion titled "Nearshoring’s Next Act.” 

McCann highlighted the need for the bipartisan Better Outfitting Our Troops, or BOOTS Act, to ensure soldiers are outfitted with domestically produced combat boots – a major policy goal for the association that would translate into a 3 percent annual increase in domestic footwear production.

McMann said that amendment continues to benefit domestic apparel and footwear producers. “It’s set up to keep certain industries warm, and apparel and footwear are part of those industries,” he told the audience. “It’s a bedrock part of our national security policy.”

Legislative update: The House-passed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026 includes the BOOTS Act, legislation that strengthens existing uniform requirements to ensure that combat boots worn by U.S. servicemembers are fully manufactured in the United States using American-sourced materials by 2028.

While the Senate version of the NDAA did not include the BOOTS Act, it does contain language, championed by Senator Susan Collins of Maine, requiring the Department of Defense to submit a report on the U.S. boot industrial base and develop a plan to achieve full Berry Amendment compliance for combat footwear by FY2028.

USFMA is actively working with industry and congressional partners to ensure that the BOOTS Act is included in the final NDAA conference agreement.

More on the BOOTs Act here. 

Plus: After Manufacturer Failures, Marine Corps to Field-Test New Boot Designs | Military.com

‘Time to double down’: But McCann stressed that more investment is needed to close gaps in a domestic supply chain that is critical for our broader national preparedness. 

“Five years ago, we all lived through supply chain disruption,” he told the summit. “Our nation’s inability to produce basic goods was exposed, and so I can’t think of a better time, with the confluence of AI with automation in factories, to be investing,” he said. “We are in a competition around the world with China on so many fronts that go well beyond apparel and footwear. This is the time to double down on making things in the United States and strengthen our supply chain.” 

‘Leapfrog the competition’: McCann told the summit that the Trump administration's recent decision to end the de minimis exemption, which allowed duty-free imports under $800, will also help a resurgent U.S. textile supply chain.

Still, “a lot of work remains to build a more resilient supply chain in North America and reduce our dependence on foreign nations that could cut off key commodities that are crucial for our economic preparedness and national preparedness,” according to McCann.

“Our long-term goal is to expand and strengthen the domestic footwear industrial base and supply chain,” he added. “That comes with real challenges – scale, workforce, training, investments. The U.S. remains the leader in innovation, and we should look for opportunities to not replicate but leapfrog the competition when it comes to advanced manufacturing."

He also highlighted USFMA’s growing partnership with the U.S. Army on advanced manufacturing technologies – including automation and robotics for cutting, sewing, and fitting – to increase performance, efficiency, and workforce safety.

The gathering of global fashion and retail leaders, which was themed “Countering Chaos,” also tackled tariffs, the impact of disrupted shipping lanes, rising sustainability demands, and the growing role of software as a service and AI in optimizing supply chains. 

Read more: Is Now The Time to Attract Long-Term Investment for Domestic Production?

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

‘A PIVOTAL MOMENT’: USFMA was pleased to welcome American Shoe Machinery Co., an industry leader for more than half a century in manufacturing footwear machinery in the United States, as our newest member. 

Founded in 1971 in Beverly, Massachusetts, ASMC specializes in the design, engineering, and support of high-performance machines, Tru-Fit Fiberglass shanks, materials, and replacement parts for the footwear and die-cutting industry.

‘A pivotal moment’: “We are thrilled to have American Shoe Machinery Co. part of our expanding coalition of domestic footwear manufacturers and suppliers that are working to reshore more production and use our collective voice to advocate for the policies that support future growth,” said McCann. “Our industry is at a pivotal moment. Having a specialized industry leader like ASMC with deep roots in American manufacturing will only help fuel this new chapter in our economic competitiveness and national preparedness.”

‘We can do this’: ASMC fills a unique niche in the domestic footwear ecosystem. “We are probably the only company left as far as shoe machinery manufacturing in the United States,” said Gentian Pashaj, ASMC President. “We are not just a distributor. Our niche is designing and manufacturing machines that are used to manufacture leading footwear brands.”

Joining USFMA is part of a more proactive strategy to position the company to support more U.S. brands seeking to return to their roots, according to Pashaj. “It’s not easy to come back to the U.S. and make shoes,” he said. “Is it impossible? No. Some manufacturers are making it happen.”

He added: “We are eager to join forces with more footwear manufacturers and suppliers, to share where we are headed, and identify what more we can do together. We are here and we can do this.”

Read up: USFMA Adds American Shoe Machinery Co. To Growing Roster of Domestic Producers

MANUFACTURING

STEPPING UP: New Balance, one of our longest and most committed members, is keeping up its aggressive efforts – and new investments – to make more footwear in the United States. 

In its latest expansion, the leading shoe brand officially opened its newly renovated manufacturing facility in Skowhegan, Maine, where it will manufacture its MADE in USA footwear line. 

‘Increased demand’: USFMA supported the event, which included dignitaries such as Sens. Angus King and Susan Collins, as well as Rep. Jared Golden. 

“New Balance’s $65 million investment in this factory is a testament to an increased demand for that ‘Made in USA’ label here and around the world, a label New Balance keeps alive and well in the footwear industry," Collins said. 

The expansion adds 120,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space and will employ 400 associates. 

Learn more about New Balance’s beefed-up operations in Maine.

‘Built with purpose': Meanwhile, Weinbrenner’s construction of a new factory for its Thorogood brand of boots in Marshfield, Wisconsin, is also nearing completion.

“This facility represents a major step forward in our commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and American manufacturing,” Weinbrenner said in August. “This new space is being built with purpose – to support our team, streamline operations, and continue delivering the craftsmanship our customers know and trust.

Learn more: New $14.5 million facility in Marshfield, WI

TRADE

SPEAKING UP: USFMA recently submitted formal comments to the Department of Commerce as part of its Section 232 National Security Investigation of Imports of Robotics and Industrial Machinery. The Department’s investigation is examining whether certain machinery imports pose risks to national security.

USFMA’s submission emphasized that imported footwear machinery is not a national security threat; in fact, it strengthens U.S. manufacturing capacity, innovation, and defense readiness.

Essential technologies: USFMA highlighted that no domestic producers currently manufacture the full range of specialized machinery needed for modern footwear production, such as cutting, stitching, molding, and bonding equipment. These technologies are essential to producing high-performance footwear for both the commercial market and the armed forces under the Berry Amendment. Imposing new tariffs or import restrictions under Section 232 would limit access to critical tools, slow modernization, and weaken the industrial base that supports American jobs and national defense.

USFMA urged the Department to exclude machinery for which no domestic source exists from any new trade actions and to work collaboratively with industry to strengthen U.S. manufacturing and supply chain resilience.

By submitting these comments, USFMA continues to advocate for policies that enable domestic footwear manufacturers to grow, innovate, and compete globally. Protecting access to advanced manufacturing machinery directly supports the association’s mission to expand U.S. production capacity, create high-quality jobs, and maintain a strong industrial base for military and commercial footwear alike.

EVENTS

‘DIALOGUE AND IDEA SHARING’: USFMA is geared up for its Fall Meeting set for October 29 and 30, hosted by Red Wing Shoes in Red Wing, Minnesota.  

"Red Wing Shoe Company is excited to host the USFMA annual meeting,” said Red Wing COO Mike Noonan. “As a long-standing manufacturer of USA made footwear, Red Wing is committed to continuing the tradition of U.S. made footwear that has existed in Red Wing, Minnesota, since 1905.”

Red Wing joined USFMA in April of this year. “As members of USFMA, we understand that USA manufacturing is critical to our brand and our collective industry and we expect to advance those efforts through our participation and association with the USFMA,” Noonan told us. “We look forward to welcoming the USFMA membership to our historic riverfront town of Red Wing for dialogue and idea sharing throughout the week."

‘A special tradition’: Attendees will have a chance to tour Red Wing’s tannery before discussions on association business, legislative priorities, and briefings from new American Shoe Machinery Co. engage with staff from Republican Rep. Brad Finstad of Minnesota, who sits on the Armed Services and Small Business Committees, and more.

Our fall meetings have become a special tradition, hosted at member facilities that highlight the strength and innovation of U.S. footwear manufacturing,” said USFMA Policy Director Karlee Popken. “We are excited to continue that tradition with a visit to Red Wing Shoes’ historic Minnesota headquarters.”

MEMBER IN THE NEWS

Kudos to Joe Kishk, founder of US Boot and a member of USFMA, for his entrepreneurial spirit and leadership in demonstrating how manufacturing more footwear in America is getting real. 

He was recently featured on Fox & Friends' Young Entrepreneurs Series about the renewed energy in our industry and what it takes to build an American-made brand from the ground up.

"When I told people that I wanted to make shoes in America they all thought I was crazy," said Kishk, who splits his time as a student at Brooklyn College. “Everyone thought I lost my mind. But here I am today."

Watch the Fox segment here.

Have company news to share? Want to flag an upcoming event or milestone? We want to hear from you. Please email Bryan Bender at bender@strategicmi.com.

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