Though New Balance believes business will be better under the Trump administration, President Obama just signed a bill into law that may save jobs for the company.
On Friday, the president signed a military budget containing a provision that requires the Pentagon to buy new recruits American-made sneakers. Previously, recruits were given a cash allowance to buy training sneakers of their choosing, regardless of where they were manufactured. The bill enforces the Berry Amendment, which had been agreed upon by the Department of Defense, but wasn't implemented.
Due to the measure, it's expected that 900 of New Balance's workers in Maine will be able to keep their jobs. Factories are currently located in Norridgewock, Skowhegan and Norway.
In an earlier report by the Portland Press Herald, New Balance director of manufacturing Brendan Melly estimates that the company could make up to 250,000 more pairs of shoes and generate more profit by taking its business overseas, but is staying in Maine to "do what's right."
