2022 is no ordinary year for New Balance. Four decades ago, the company founded in 1906 by an English immigrant named William J. Rilley crossed back the pond to settle in Flimby (Cumbria, England) and establish the “Made in UK” line. Forty years after becoming a benchmark for quality and style, it is time to celebrate.
New Balance is living its own particular sweet moment. It is no secret that the company based in Massachusetts (Boston, USA) leads the international sneaker scene thanks to its top-level collaborations, its success in rescuing iconic models, or actions such as the recent appointment of Teddy Santis – founder of the New York firm Aimé Leon Dore – as creative director of the “Made in USA” series.
But if there is one line of trainers that is loved and revered by fashion and sneaker lovers alike, it is the one that proudly carries the “Made in UK” label, as the New Balance’s British division has been offering a premium, handcrafted approach to sports footwear since 1982, opposing today’s “fast fashion” trends.
Three points of support and a perfect balance to conquer the world.
But let’s start at the beginning. In 1906, William J. Rilley established the New Balance Arch Support Company in Boston, dedicated to the manufacture of orthopaedic systems for footwear for the American working class. In fact, the three points of support used by chickens when walking were the inspiration for providing optimal balance and equilibrium. Hence the name.
The brand continued to grow and design traction and support systems until 1961, when they launched their first “modern” silhouette: the Trackster. A shoe whose corrugated outsole caught the attention of athletes and runners across the country. In 1972, and with Jim Davis at the helm – who placed the iconic ‘N’ on the side of his shoes – New Balance Inc. continued to achieve non-stop successes with models such as the 320 – named Best Running Shoe that year by Runner’s World Magazine -, the Detours 480 or the Hi Top 740 basketball shoe.
And so we arrive at 1982, a crucial year for New Balance due to two very significant events: the launch of the legendary 990 – the first shoe in history to exceed the $100 barrier, something unheard of at the time – and the establishment of a factory in the United Kingdom with the aim of continuing to grow in Europe. The “Made in UK” factory proudly waved the Union Jack for the first time in Flimby.
Quality and premiumness two hours away from Manchester
Flimby is a small town located in the county of Cumbria, in the north-west of England and very close to the Scottish border. With a population of just over 2,000, it may seem odd that a global heavyweight of the stature of New Balance would decide to settle in such a picturesque location, but there is a reason for it all.
Despite successive changes of hands (1956, 1972), the Boston-based company has always kept the British origins of its founder, William J. Reilly, very much in mind. That is why the establishment of the European headquarters in Flimby was not only a conscious and thoughtful decision, but also a tribute to a legacy of excellence that has lasted to this day.
28,000 reasons a week to love the Union Jack
New Balance’s “Made in UK” label is one of the most recognised and appreciated in the sneaker world. The reason? The English headquarters of the Massachusetts-based company deliver an exceptional product thanks to the use of premium materials and a manufacturing process that takes care of every detail to the maximum. The use of specially treated pigskin, the incorporation of breathable mesh of the highest quality, and the design and assembly process result in exceptional trainers, with finishes within the reach of very few brands.
From the hands of the 200 workers in Flimby come 28,000 pairs of shoes a week, which are destined for some of the best shops and boutiques in the world. So it’s no wonder that every new design or launch is a major event on the international sneaker scene. Whether it’s special editions of legendary models (New Balance 1500, New Balance 991) or collaborations on new silhouettes (New Balance 920), if it’s “Made in UK”, it will be an object of desire.
New Balance “Made in UK” celebrates 40 years of quality and premiumness
In 2022, New Balance “Made in UK” celebrates its 40th anniversary. Four decades dedicated to a working ethic where patience, care and respect for roots and traditions are always present. For this reason, and due to the importance of the British heritage for North Americans, the company has created a video that immerses us in the essence of Flimby.
And who better to show the day-to-day life of the centre than its workers themselves? A beautiful document that exudes pride of class and belonging, and that condenses the importance of New Balance in the lives of these people, while showing us the dedication, effort and attention to detail present in each pair of trainers with the “Made in UK” label.
And as icing on the cake, they present the release of the New Balance “Catalogue Pack”, a special edition that commemorates the five silhouettes that best represent the spirit of Flimby. It will include new and classic sneakers, and each and every one of them in a packaging that will act as a reminder of the 40 years of exceptional work of the small English factory, a legacy that has been making millions of people happy.
Keep an eye on our social media in the following days. We have a lot to tell you about New Balance’s 40th anniversary.