Wolverine sells Big Rapid factory to Original

Wolverine Worldwide has sold assets associated with its United States Department of Defense (DoD) contract business and the Big Rapids factory operations to Original Footwear. The company said, Original is a Tennessee-based footwear manufacturer specializing in products for the Department of Defense under the Altama brand and also owns Original S.W.A.T, and Ro-Search brands. Wolverine Worldwide added that this sale is part of the company's ongoing effort to improve near-term performance while building a foundation for the future.

"The sale to Original Footwear will provide the opportunity for the Big Rapids factory to compete for Department of Defense contracts set aside for small businesses," said, Blake Krueger, Wolverine's Chairman, Chief Executive and President in a statement, adding, “With new ownership, we feel the factory is better positioned to win additional contracts that will retain important manufacturing jobs for the community."

The company expects this sale to improve the future viability of the Big Rapids factory operations. Original qualifies as a "small business" under Small Business Administration regulations, which allows the company access to a significant number of contracts not available to "large" corporations like Wolverine Worldwide. The sale is effective September 29, 2017.

Included in this sale is Wolverine Worldwide's Big Rapids, Michigan factory, which is one of the largest producers of footwear to the United States military. The company said, Original Footwear will become a footwear supplier to Wolverine Worldwide for certain products currently made in the Big Rapids factory. Wolverine will retain the Bates brand and will continue to operate the Bates civilian and military exchange business.