About New Balance
Founded by William Riley in 1906 as the New Balance Arch Company, in Boston, MA, New Balance manufactured arch supports and orthopedic shoes. During the 1950s and 60s, athletes turned to the company for customized running shoes due to New Balance's unique expertise in handcrafting specialized footwear. Paul Kidd bought the company in 1956 and increased the shoe-making sector as demand grew. Production of running shoes soon became the company's primary source of business. The New Balance "Tracksterâ€, one of the first running shoes made, grew very popular not only because of its technical innovation, but because it was available in a wide range of widths.
In 1972, New Balance was purchased by current Chairman and CEO, James (Jim) S. Davis. Four years later, the New Balance 320 running shoe was rated number one on the market, which launched the company into worldwide prominence. Since then, New Balance has diversified into making a complete range of athletic shoes – as well as apparel and accessories – for a variety of athletic activities.
In 1998, New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. acquired Dunham to expand into the outdoor arena without diluting the NB brand. In 2001, NBAS acquired PF Flyers to pursue the active casual market and new product was introduced in Spring 2003. A brand-new comfort performance footwear brand, Aravon®, was introduced at retail in Spring 2004. In early 2004, NBAS acquired Warrior Lacrosse, widely recognized as the world’s most cutting edge manufacturer of lacrosse equipment, after introducing the Warrior “Burn†by New Balance lacrosse shoe.
Throughout the years, New Balance has maintained the same principles it was founded upon: extensive width sizing, a commitment to domestic manufacturing, and leadership in technological innovation.
