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 Weinbrenner Shoe Company Incorporated 1892 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA  Manufacturer of Thorogood™ Occupational Safety Footwear. The leader in work, uniform and fire boot innovation, quality craftsmanship and comfort. ============================================================= History of an American Work Boot Innovator  1855 Peter Weinbrenner, a recent German immigrant, begins repairing boots and shoes from a small cobbler's shop in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 1878 Peter's son, Albert, follows his father's trade, starting at age 13 as an apprentice cobbler repairing outsoles.
1916 First product sales catalog printed. Production grows to 20,000 pairs per day. 82 cutting machines leads the nation in the number of leather clippers in any one factory. Footwear now include women's and children's dress shoes. 1917 "Job-fitted" design is introduced in recognition of the diverse needs of the different work trades. Work boot styles begin to appear specifically designed for miners, oil riggers, lineman, foundry workers and steelworkers. During World War I Weinbrenner becomes a major contributor to the Army, supplying military boots "job-fitted" for the infantry.
1936 New factory in Merrill, Wisconsin opens. (It still operates today and is the current headquarters.) 1938 New factory in Antigo, Wisconsin opens. 1938 New factory in Antigo, Wisconsin opens. 1941  All production during World War II is dedicated to the national war effort. To this day Weinbrenner still manufacturers military "issue" boots for the United States Armed Forces. Weinbrenner introduces the Neo-Cord outsole - designed to protect workers from the harms of oil, sulfuric and lactic acids.
1943  Weinbrenner's manufacturing plants are organized by International Boot and Shoe Workers Union. The union will prove to become an integral partner in the company's future success. To this day, the working relationship between corporate and manufacturing is strong and focused squarely focused on "making great work boots!" Locals #688 and #717 of the United Food & Commercial Workers International Union, AFL-CIO, CLC currently represent Weinbrenner's workers. 1946  New toe/metatarsal protection technology patent rewarded to Weinbrenner: ){kind=small} US Patent #2,392,867.1949 Albert H. Weinbrenner, founder of the Weinbrenner Shoe Company, passes away at age 84 1950  Boot style #633 is introduced as a premium job-fitted roofer boot with lace-to-toe secure-fit contruction. This boot will set the standard and with a few technological advances through the years will remain in Weinbrenner's product line...up through today - style #633-1. 1954  Weinbrenner introduces the WorkOne brand, a new product line of highly specialized industrial work boots sold directly to companies with specific boot saefty needs. 1958  New metatarsal protection technology patent rewarded to Weinbrenner: ){kind=small} US Patent #2,833,058.1959  New plastic shoe heel technology patent rewarded to Weinbrenner: ){kind=small} US Patent #2,917,841.
1992 Weinbrenner celebrates 100 years of quality craftsmanship and innovation. 1997  Weinbrenner introduces the HellFire brand, a new product line of highly specialized fire fighting boots. 2002  Weinbrenner introduces the Dual Density Polyurethane outsole designed to secifically address the needs for 1) working on concrete surfaces for 10-12 hours a day and 2) jobs that require climbing. The new outsole's shock absorbing dual composition perfectly compliments the slip resisting and flexing qualities of this EXCLUSIVE Weinbrenner outsole. This outsole in Made In USA. ){kind=small} Learn More2003  Weinbrenner introduces an exclusive fire fighting outsole designed in cooperation with Vibram® The new outsole's unique chiseled lug design and heat resisting composition greatly improve traction for fire fighters in a variety of conditions. Miners also discover the value of the new design in their work environments, both above and below the ground. This outsole in Made In USA.  AeroMet™ metatarsal guard patent rewarded to Weinbrenner: US Patent #6,631,569.2004  Weinbrenner introduces the SoftStreets™ outsole designed in partnership with the United States Postal Service. The new outsole's unique lug design and material composition is designed to provide safety, comfort and lightweight flexibility for the multiple work conditions postal employees find themselves in - indoors and outdoors. This outsole in Made In USA. This outsole is a CERTIFIED by the United States Postal Service. 2007  I-Met™ metatarsal guard patent rewarded to Weinbrenner: ){kind=small} US Patent #7,305,776.2011  Weinbrenner introduces the Thorogood MaxWear™ Wedge outsole. The new outsole's design follows in the footsteps of traditional wedge sole design BUT adds 20-30% longer life and introduces, for the first time, dual density comfort construction. The MaxWear™ Wedge provides the same safety and lightweight flexibility, plus characteristic slip resisiting qualities, for the multiple work conditions that ironworkers, carpenters and millions of other construction workers demand on the jobsite. This outsole is Made In USA. 2012  Following the introduction of the MaxWear™ Wedge, Weinbrenner also introduced the same improved performance characteristics (and familiar cream color) in a "wedge-inspired" outsole with a 90º heel and slightly more agressive, low-profile, lug pattern - the Thorogood Classic outsole. This outsole is Made In USA. 2015  Weinbrenner dramatically redesigns the Classic outsole in response to consumer demand. The new design, with a true 90/90 heel and a deeper more agressive lug pattern, enjoys immediate success. The outsole is applied to a variety of new work boots styles in both cream and black colored versions. This outsole is Made In USA. Today  Weinbrenner is America's largest manufacturer of "Made In USA" footwear - over 125 styles - primarily focused on quality job-fitted work boots. Two factories in Wisconsin continue to serve the company; with the Merrill operation as the headquarters. Bucking the trend of companies moving all or most of their production out of the country, Weinbrenner remains dedicated to keeping a majority of its production in the United States. Weinbrenner continues its tradition of innovative design in the work boot industry and is widely respected as a leader in quality and comfort - after 120 years it is one of the most trusted brands in the industry. Today, Weinbrenner makes 250 styles of occupational safety work and uniform boots. To further demonstrate its committment, Weinbrenner has implemented a Quality Management System which conforms to the requirements of the International Standard ISO 9001 certification.  Walter Brown, President, TheBootPros LLC Send Comment | Who We Are ============================================================= Top of Page | Send Comment | Who We Are | ||||||||||||||||
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