Boston, Massachusetts -- The US Department of Defense is considering a protocol overhaul in favour of domestic footwear manufacturers for the supply of running shoes to its service personnel.
US running shoe manufacturer New Balance – producer of the New Balance 993 US Army running shoe – prompted the action after lobbying against a 2002 decision which allowed service personnel to choose their own sports shoes from either US-made and imported ranges.
Until then, the Berry Amendment ensured that only certain domestic commodities made up the uniform of military personnel.
New Balance company spokesman Matt LeBretton said his firm had invested in a machine to manufacture mid-soles - the one component it had outsourced overseas – in the spirit of its’ campaign.
Flint-based foam maker Rogers Foam – component maker for the Chevy Volt – has joined New Balance in the campaign.
