NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty along with Original Footwear officials announced today the company will begin new manufacturing operations at 5968 Commerce Blvd. in the Morristown Airport Industrial District. Specializing in creating tactical footwear for law enforcement, military and emergency medical technicians, Original Footwear will invest $10 million and create 182 new jobs in Hamblen County.
“We want to thank Original Footwear for choosing Morristown for its latest operations and creating these new jobs in Hamblen County,” Haslam said. “Tennessee’s location, strong workforce and infrastructure help companies like Original Footwear support efficient product distribution, and today’s announcement supports our goal to make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.”
Original Footwear has facilities overseas, but as a result of this project, a portion of the company’s production will be brought back to the United States and housed in Morristown.
“Job creation in today’s global economy is stimulated by efforts made both here in Tennessee as well as abroad, and we remain equally focused on regaining jobs from overseas markets to keep Tennessee companies competitive while providing more opportunities to our skilled workforce,” Hagerty said. “I appreciate Original Footwear for its decision to locate and invest in Morristown and for its commitment to return top manufacturing jobs back to our state.”
“We are very excited about this opportunity to continue to grow our business as we work to become the leading supplier to our nation’s law enforcement, military and service professionals,” Original Footwear CEO Kevin Cole said. “Every day hundreds of thousands of men and women put their lives on the line to protect the American way of life. Our mission is to give them the best possible footwear to help them do their jobs. We are very thankful for all the support the state of Tennessee and especially the town of Morristown have provided us.”
Original Footwear recently acquired Tactical Holdings and Operations, Inc. in Morristown. The company plans to capitalize on Tactical Holdings’ existing 110,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility and add an additional 65,000 square feet which will result in a fully functional shipping and warehousing arm of the operation.
“We would like to thank Original Footwear for its commitment in Morristown,” Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce President Marshall Ramsey said. “From the beginning, their position on community livability and sustainability was clear, and we are blessed to have companies like Original Footwear consider Hamblen County.”
“TVA and Morristown Utility Systems welcome and congratulate Original Footwear on its decision to locate new manufacturing operations in Morristown,” TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley said. “We are pleased to partner with the state of Tennessee and the Morristown Chamber of Commerce to help recruit Original Footwear.”
Original Footwear was founded in 1999 and focuses on creating tactical footwear that combines a high level of performance and comfort at the highest value. Its end user base includes members of the military, law enforcement, emergency medical and service professionals around the world.
To apply for available positions, please contact Original Footwear Human Resources Manager Rebecca Edwards atredwards@originalfootwear.com.
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
Tennessee was named “2013 State of the Year” for economic development by Business Facilities magazine. The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies which help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Find us on the web: tn.gov/ecd. Follow us on Twitter: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd.
