The Official Blog of Allen Edmonds CEO, Paul Grangaard

2012-02-03T13:00:00.003-06:00

At Allen Edmonds, we’re as deeply committed to providing superior customer service as we are to manufacturing superior products. No place is the combination more evident than in our Recrafting service, where each year we make about 60,000 pairs of shoes look nearly brand new, for a fraction of the cost of a new pair. “Planned obsolescence” is something we definitely don’t believe in here, obviously.

I’m often asked two questions by astute businessmen: 1) How can you sell enough new shoes to survive when you do such a great job Recrafting worn-out AE shoes? and 2) Is Recrafting profitable?

The answer to the first question is that we have to stay on top of our game in both casual and dress shoe product development, so that we inspire our core customers to wear Allen Edmonds all week long, including weekends, and so that we grow our market share significantly with a broader swath of American men. We believe no other shoe company offers the quality and value formula that we do – we just need more men to realize what a great investment AEs are compared to the disposable offshore alternatives that last only a year or two. Recrafting is a huge part of that value formula. We calculate that a man can save hundreds of dollars over a 15 year period by buying a pair of AEs that last all 15 years (including Recrafting), compared to continually buying less expensive competitor shoes that last a couple of years. If you somehow add value for the aesthetics of styling, comfort and elite leather quality into the equation, it’s an even wider advantage and smarter investment.

The answer to the second question is “not so much.” We Recraft because of our commitment to superior customer service. It’s much easier and more efficient to make new shoes. Below is a link to a video of the Recrafting process. You’ll notice that there isn’t much leather around sides of the shoe to work with, once the old sole and the welt strip have been sliced off. When we make a new shoe, the sides of the upper extend down half an inch more and the excess needs to be trimmed. In Recrafting, we’re working with the bare minimum extension of the shoe upper as we attach the new welt and sole. If the shoe has been Recrafted before, that part of the shoe might have hundreds of stitching holes in it, weakening the leather. So, the degree of difficulty in Recrafting is quite high to get to that “like brand new” look, comfort and durability.

http://www.allenedmonds.com/recrafting

We last raised prices for our Recrafting service in 2001. That’s right, over a decade ago. Costs of soles and labor, not to mention shipping, have risen significantly since then and we now need to raise prices for Recrafting roughly $25 per service level. We’re also introducing price increases in our new shoes for the first time since 2006. In our commitment to Premium Value in all that we do, these increases have been kept to a minimum. We know men are still watching their family budgets in this economy and we want to remain – or become – their “go to” shoe company, now and for their entire lives, so we’ve held the increases (effective February 1) in check.

60,000 Recrafted shoes is a lot of customer service commitment. We’re proud of that commitment at Allen Edmonds, but we’re most proud of the men who choose to take advantage of it. Having customers want to renew the same product for years and years is the best testimonial of all. If you like your AEs that much, please tell a friend, a son, a colleague or just some random guy on the airplane (I’m writing this blog on the plane and you should see the shoes the guy next to me is wearing!)…

Thanks for your support,

Paul D. Grangaard

President & CEO

Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

2012-01-27T15:17:00.000-06:00

2011 was like two different eras at our home again last year. By that I mean we started in January with a high school senior in the house -- still with a curfew, “May I please use the car?”, 11:00 calls with his whereabouts, and all those “last grasps of control” things. By December, he’d become a University of Wisconsin “junior active” at a fraternity… providing no idea about where he was during most of Winter Break, when he’d be home or if our car had been stolen from the garage. Even though it was our third trip through this transition, it was still a bit hard to get used to. A few blocks away, our friends were going through the exact same thing with our son’s best golfing buddy, only their son went half a continent away to the University of Oregon (but joined the same fraternity) for his next four years.

It was a lucky coincidence, then, that both boys – er, sorry, men – found their schools' football teams in the Rose Bowl. My friend and his son decided to go to the game and offered to let our son join them (frats, it seems, are good places to get an extra ticket for dad at regular cost). I travel all year long, so I stayed back to watch the game from the best seats (the couch at home).

Jim Kass, our always can-do and fun-loving head of production at Allen Edmonds and a Wisconsin alum, knows both of these guys and was eager to make the trip even more entertaining. He had been finishing development of our Spring 2012 “Neumoks” – the first “unconstructed” wing tips ever brought to market. They have a normal, butyl-soaked leather sole, but the upper of the shoe is made with soft leathers and no lining or other “stiffening” materials. As a result they’re especially light and comfortably form to your foot like a moccasin, despite their dressy look (in normal colors).

So Jim made the shoes in the picture for the guys. Note their team emblems on the sides. What you can’t see in the picture is the Rose Bowl logo embroidered on the opposite side, or the “Stomp on the Badgers” or “Stomp on the Ducks” that Jim had laser-engraved on the soles of their respective shoes. They were quite the conversation piece in Pasadena. Unfortunately for Badger fans, they brought last minute luck to the other team (the Duck shoes were just a little faster). Wait ‘til next year!

Paul D. Grangaard

President & CEO

Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

2011-12-22T15:07:00.002-06:00

Allen Edmonds is well on the way to becoming a global brand. We’ve had significant sales in Europe for a generation, and our recent agreement with a Chinese partner to open Allen Edmonds stores in China – bringing our “Made in USA” products there in a reversal of decades-long trends – has the potential to double our sales and our international awareness over the next several years. Still, we’re a relatively small private company. The trappings of global “brandhood” remain out of our reach: like having a major sports stadium carry our name, for example. So, when my hockey-crazed and great-guy brother-in-law jokingly asked if AE wanted to “sponsor” his backyard ice rink, where he’s immersing his 5-year old son in the rich traditions of Minnesota hockey, I jumped at the chance.

Tongue firmly planted in cheek, attached are cellphone pictures of “Allen Edmonds Arena”, our first major sports sponsorship. The NHL will take note, I’m sure. (We’ll have their people call our people.) It took two dairy-truckloads of water to fill in the homemade boards, cover the encroaching tree roots and create the 25’X40’ sheet of ice. Allen Edmonds Arena is a serious sports venue, let me tell you. Several of our AE employees have offered to drive the Zamboni, should my brother-in-law ever get one. And, as you might suspect, my nephew leads the league in scoring (‘cause my soft-hearted sister is a sieve in goal for her son; in co-ed broomball she’s a veritable Patrick Roy).

The Christmas garland surrounding the Allen Edmonds banner and the wreath next to it offer a fitting “Winter Wonderland” scene for this chance to wish all of our loyal Allen Edmonds supporters and customers -- especially the half a handful of you who read this blog -- a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday Festivities of all kinds, and much good health and happiness in 2012!!

Peace to you and yours,

Paul D. Grangaard

President & CEO

Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

2011-09-25T16:37:00.000-05:00

A couple weeks ago, we enjoyed an afternoon visit to Port Washington from Mike Allen, the great grandson of Allen Edmonds’ founder, Elbert Allen, and therefore also the grandson and son of Bert and Boyd, the next two generations of family leadership. After Mike toured our manufacturing facility with Jim Kass, our Head of Operations, we all enjoyed a great conversation about the intertwined history of his family and the company. Mike brought in a couple photos from back in the late 1950s -- including the Christmas Card (pictured below) of Boyd, Mrs. Allen and the kids with their AE shoes kicked up on the fireplace wall for all to see. Absolutely priceless.

On his tour, I think Mike was pleasantly surprised at how little the manufacturing process has changed. Yes, we’re more efficient based on our volumes and some workflow engineering, but we still manufacture all of our shoes by hand in the same 212 steps that have been the basis for handcrafting Allen Edmonds shoes since the beginning in 1922. (For more information on how we make our shoes, take a look at our newly designed website, http://www.allenedmonds.com/ and click on the “Craftsmanship” tab). And now we employ over 750 people in our company, most of whom work in Port Washington, just 8 miles from the town of Belgium where Elbert Allen first stated.

Building on the Allen Family legacy, I am pleased to announce the Third Annual Allen Edmonds “Rediscover America” Customer Appreciation Event (aka our Big Fall Sale), which runs September 26th through Columbus Day, October 11th. In addition to saying thank you to those whose loyalty has carried us since 1922, we’re celebrating all American manufacturing and workers, and the quality, craftsmanship, style and service that “Made in USA” has always meant to AE customers at home and abroad. During the sale, our products will be offered at least at 14.92% off (Columbus, you know) in all of our own retail stores, on our website, and through 400 participating Allen Edmonds dealers nationwide. A select list of 12 of our most popular styles of shoes and some accessories will be offered at much bigger savings, too.

Ok, enough plugging and bold font… At the end of our time with Mike, I mentioned that since January 2010 we’ve added over 120 jobs right here at our manufacturing facility in Port Washington. Mike said his great grandfather would be proud. His smile spoke volumes about the Allen family and our work. It makes me especially proud of all of my colleagues, whose dedication and commitment to great American ideals are leading this great company to new heights today.

As always, thank you for your support of Allen Edmonds, and of American manufacturing. It’s because of you that we have been able to continue to create jobs right here, about a snowball’s throw from where Elbert Allen first started in 1922.

Best Wishes,

Paul D. Grangaard

President & CEO

Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

2011-09-05T22:01:00.000-05:00

My parents grew up through the Great Depression and learned a lot of hard lessons about the value of a steady job. Both of my grandfathers worked for country banks that were wiped out in the banking crisis, and so were their personal finances. My mother’s keepsake silver dollar, minted in her birth year of 1922, was finally needed in 1934 to buy bread for the family, bringing real life experience to the phrase “down to our last dollar.” My dad worked his way through college in North Dakota in the late 1930s, moved to Minneapolis after graduation without a dime in his pocket and, except for his service in WWII, worked for the same company for his entire career.

During the prosperity of the late 1990s, many Americans adopted a “free agent” attitude about their jobs. It was a heady time when “business casual” evolved to where guys dressed literally in running shoes for a quick escape out of the office. In venture capital hotspots, there was constant hopping from one start-up to another, and it seemed those opportunities would never dry up.

Fast forward to 2011 and a stubbornly persistent unemployment rate over 9%. Men’s attire has become more serious and that includes the shoes that they wear both to work and on weekends. This trend has been good for business growth at Allen Edmonds. For me and our leadership team here, the most gratifying part of that growth is the expanded employment that we’ve been able to offer to our community.

We’ve added over 120 new hires in Port Washington, WI since 2010. Many of them had been laid off from other jobs several months or even a couple years before joining us. It’s great to talk to them, see how much they value their jobs and hear about their plans for their families that now are realistic again. And, man, do they take their work seriously, which shows up in the quality of our shoes and our customer service. Nobody’s perfect, but the effort they expend to get as close as possible to perfection is truly inspirational.

On this Labor Day 2011, here’s a special toast to U.S. employees, to U.S. employers, to U.S. jobs, and to never taking any of them for granted.

Best Wishes,

Paul D. Grangaard

President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

2011-08-30T21:56:00.000-05:00

We have a strong culture among our employees at Allen Edmonds. We work very hard together in common pursuit, and there’s a lot of good natured fun and camaraderie along the way. Those who think work is a stifling place, where people become only vaguely acquainted and cordon off their personal lives, just wouldn’t understand our shop.

I’m blessed with a truly exceptional team, as evidenced by much of what you see in the marketplace, in our products and in our customer service. You can also read it in the newspaper: the Milwaukee Business Journal just named our lovable Senior Vice President and CFO, Jay Schauer, “CFO of the Year” this August. Jay is completely deserving of the honor. He not only tracks every number with a keen CFO skill set, he also has excellent business acumen and knows all about shoe production, Allen Edmonds’ history, our strengths and challenges and our customers. We wouldn’t be where we are today without Jay’s outstanding work and guidance.

August was a big month for Jay. It started with the CFO of the Year award, and ended with a much-anticipated golf outing. Jay hadn’t nearly as much golf experience as the others included in the group. He was a bit nervous about playing a top ranked course with this group, so he took a couple lessons and practiced consistently during the summer. The work paid off as he laced his drive—ok, it was his third drive -- big down the middle on the first hole. The rest of the round, Jay took what I call the “Johnny Miller Philosophy for Businessmen’s Golf” to a higher level than I’d ever seen before.

During a conference years ago, I heard Johnny Miller say that he sees so many amateurs with families and full-time jobs take the game as seriously as PGA Tour players who practice hours a day and have pro golfer talent. We curse ourselves when we hit bad shots and then angrily say, “It’s about time!” when we hit a good shot. Johnny suggested that we have it all wrong -- we should accept bad shots as inevitable in our crammed lives, and say, “All right! Hooray for me!” when the ball ends up where we wanted it to go. As someone whose game took a drastic turn southward a number of years ago, I’ve been trying to heed Johnny’s advice… but it’s easier said than done.

Jay, by contrast, would make Johnny proud. Sure, Jay had his bloopers, but he remained just plain thrilled to be out there. His attitude was really fun and infectious. Then there was his “Hooray for me!” The first time Jay’s foursome came to the Par 3 Seventeenth, the others missed the postage stamp green while Jay hit it to four feet and, after stepping away to slow his racing heart, MADE THE PUTT! The next time around the course, Jay flew that green (maybe too much adrenaline after his earlier birdie?) and had a tough lie. He chopped it out of the gorse and incredibly HIT THE PIN! The ball dropped within gimme distance. Jay whooped and hollered so loud he could be heard in the adjoining State. I was on the 16th green in the second group at the time and we thought he had either just won the lottery or else was trying to start a buffalo stampede. At the post-round lunch, Jay declared himself good-naturedly, “King of Seventeen”. We’ll never forget it (and Jay will make sure we don’t).

Congratulations, Jay! “King of Seventeen” and “CFO of the Year” all at once… Nice month!

Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

2011-07-30T21:36:00.000-05:00

Allen Edmonds is a bipartisan company – we’re supported by loyal customers of both red and blue stripes. In the last year, we’ve also been supported significantly by Wisconsin Governors of both parties and their administrations.

Gov. Jim Doyle, a Democrat, visited our plant in October 2010 to announce a low interest development loan to help finance the growth of our Port Washington plant and employment base. In these times of persistent economic uncertainty and gyrating consumer spending, the financial aid helped us have the confidence to invest in a strategic plant expansion and additional employees. The loan was not officially approved, however, until early 2011, after Republican Gov. Scott Walker took office. Fortunately for the over 100 new hires we’ve added in our plant this year, the transition went seamlessly for us.

Paul Jadin, the new Secretary of Commerce, and his wife Jane visited our plant this summer to see what we’re doing with the aid and also learn more about our operation. It’s clear that Sec. Jadin is a solid choice for this key role. There’s a great manufacturing heritage in Wisconsin and it needs to be vigilantly maintained. I was impressed by both the Secretary’s and his wife’s intense interest in what we do and in how we do it here at Allen Edmonds. Like so many other Wisconsinites, he has been a longtime AE Man.

Since at least 1980, every Republican and Democrat U.S. President has worn Allen Edmonds. We’re deeply honored and grateful to have such fantastic bipartisan support across the nation and in our home state – presidents, congressmen, governors, cabinet members, Republicans, Democrats – AE customers all.

Thank you for your support of this almost 90 year old American employer.

Best wishes,

Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

2011-07-29T21:24:00.000-05:00

Most guys I know have a so-called “bucket list” – the special things they want to do before kicking the bucket. I’ve got mine in my head and I keep it updated. As a big baseball fan, one thing on my list since its first edition has been to attend an All Star Game. I finally had the chance this summer in Phoenix as a guest of our good friends at Major League Baseball. They invited my son to join me as well, and they invited Allen Edmonds to award a pair of shoes to each All Star just before he made his way to the annual Parade before the game. Colin Hall (our SVP of marketing and international business) and Tom Kroepel and Nina Ward from our Phoenix store helped meet the players, fit their feet and award the shoes. It was a ton of fun to see the players (or in many cases their wives) pick out shoe styles from the more fashionable Strawfut (brown calf & Linen), to the recently introduced and trendy McTavish, to the uniquely casual baseball stitched shoe called the Infield.

The players were incredibly gracious and down-to-earth. I had an especially nice conversation with Curtis Granderson, the Yankee centerfielder, who told me that TV makes him look faster than he really is. (What a year he’s having!) I also had the chance to thank the Minnesota Twins’ Michael Cuddyer for his constant commitment to community service – he’s an exemplary guy on and off the field, as was again evident by his classy response to me. Without their caps and uniforms, however, it was hard to tell who many of the other players were. David Ortiz and Prince Fielder were easy to spot, but there were several I didn’t know. One unassuming guy had a friendly conversation with us but I still had no clue who he was. As he filled out a form so we could send the shoes in the right size to his him, I craned to see that he was writing… “C-L-I-F-F—L-E-E”.

My 15 year old son, Blake, had a memorable time, thanks especially to Howard Smith, Greg Sim and Mychal Bogee, our gracious MLB hosts. Howard asked Blake if he played ball (the answer is yes, the kid’s got a promising slider) and then presented Blake with the official All Star Game Oakley sunglasses, which really lit up Blake’s face. Greg and Mychal took us to Chase Field at 7 am on the morning of the Game, where we joined a group of other MLB licensees for a tour of the clubhouse and then headed out onto the field to shag flies, field grounders and take some BP – all off of Diamondback coaches. Blake hammered his first BP pitch into the outfield, breaking a batting slump he felt he was in this summer. (Back home, he would go on to hit a double to the wall and a three run triple in his last two at-bats of the season, so the All Star Game was transformational.) It’s hard to pick Blake’s biggest highlight of the trip, but this one might be it… While I was handing out shoes to players, Greg Sim took Blake over to where his favorite All Star Tim Lincecum was sitting and introduced Blake to him. Greg reported that they seemed equally shy for words – Blake: “You throw really good pitches.” Tim: “Thanks, I try." Yes he sure does.

It was a great couple of bucket list days.

Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

2011-04-25T08:45:00.022-05:00

Winter in my hometown usually drags on and on, often with a final hammerblow in the form of a “Basketball Tournament Blizzard” that pushes us beyond tolerance and even sanity, giving a more literal meaning to “March Madness.”

Spring Fever has been an acute annual affliction for me; I can’t wait to get outside onto green grass. I played a lot of family golf growing up in Minnesota as my dad, who had learned the game himself as a kid out on the prairie, put Grandpa’s hickory-shafted “Lawson Little Signature” niblick in my hands at about age 6. Hitting wiffle balls in the backyard hooked me deep, and for life, on the world’s most humbling hobby. So, Spring each year starts vicariously up here: watching the Masters on TV with the gorgeous explosion of brightly-colored azaleas and perfect greens, and hearing Jim Nantz and lately Nick Faldo (or in the old days, Pat Summeral and Ken Venturi ) rhapsodize about the “tradition unlike any other.”

This year, the experience wasn’t so vicarious. While the home temperatures were still struggling to crack 40, I was lucky to be at Augusta for the tournament with my friend and colleague Colin Hall, our Head of Marketing and International Business at Allen Edmonds, who also happens to be quite a good photographer (something I didn’t know).

The Masters was especially great for us, and not just because of the exciting finish. Colin and I had a chance to greet our golf spokesman Ben Crenshaw and his caddy Carl Jackson, both of whom were sporting our new golf shoes.

Ben wore the REDAN and Carl the spikeless LINKS. It was Carl’s 50th Masters, so we personalized his shoes with “50th” in Augusta green on the side. We have a perfect connection with Ben Crenshaw and, having met Carl and read about him in Sports Illustrated’s Masters edition, with him, too. They’re classy gentlemen who respect people, the game, its history and its traditions and who have made their own significant contributions in their impressive careers. We couldn’t be prouder of the association at Allen Edmonds.

While this year’s event will be remembered for the back-nine charge Tiger didn’t make while future star Rory McIlroy was suffering character-building misfortune off the tee at 10, Colin and I enjoyed a memorable sidebar coincidence. Last summer, the Western Amateur Tournament was held at Colin’s club in Chicago. The winner was a collegian named David Chung, who also came in second at the U.S. Amateur and qualified to play in the Masters. After Mr. Chung’s quarter final victory (3 extra holes) at the Western, he greeted Colin’s ten year old son greenside and gave him the winning ball. As you can imagine, this gesture was a pretty big deal in the Hall household. At Augusta, we bumped into David’s mother at the 10th tee of a practice round and had a nice conversation in which Colin complimented her on her David’s graciousness, which clearly gave her some motherly pride. Then we watched him – with his (estimating) 5’5”, 130 pound frame – bomb the ball past the pros on both 10 and 11. Wow. When we got back to our Blackberries that evening, I emailed my daughter (who goes to the same school) to ask if she knows David Chung. Here’s her response: “I DO know David Chung!! Quite well, actually! I met him last year in our dorm and he would always call me Annika Sorenstam. That is amazing that he went to the Masters!! So cool!” Small world.

Below are some of Colin’s best photos from the practice rounds, which is when they allow patrons to take pictures. Given that sports figures have a big impact on fashion trends on and off the field of play, we all can plan on white shoes, white belts and white pants making a huge comeback in menswear. We can also expect to see more and more brown and white spectator shoes with classic brogue patterns. After so many years of black shoes (made of uncertain leathers), black pants and dark colored shirts, it’s nice to see the change.

Happy Spring and let’s all hit ‘em straighter this year!

Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

2011-03-15T09:22:00.012-05:00

In January, I had the privilege of speaking at the Milwaukee Biztimes’ Economic Forum. I knew little about the event when I said yes to it, but I somehow assumed it would be a panel discussion in front of a small group, involving mostly off-the-cuff Q&A and little preparation. So, I was a caught off guard when the Senior Editor called three days before to give me some last-minute coaching and make sure that my “speech” would be “no longer than 15 minutes for sure, and 12 would be better.”

“Speech?” I asked. “What am I speaking about?” He replied that they had me down for two topics: “How to Revive American Manufacturing” and “The Future of Retailing.” (Oh, I thought, is that all? Why not throw in Health Care Reform, too?) Then he added, “Go ahead at the end and talk about men’s fashion trends if you want. There’ll be a lot of men there who’ll want to hear about that… but, remember, 15 minutes max, 12 is better and no Allen Edmonds commercial.” “Got it. How many people are you expecting?” “Over 600 -- it’s sold out. Congressman Paul Ryan is kicking it off talking about fiscal discipline in Washington, and he’s a big draw. As the head of the House Budget Committee, people want to hear what he has to say about what’s going on.” Indeed.

Well, I got some slides ready and showed up. It was actually pretty fun to do. My comments about the two BIG topics needed to be pretty broad-brush, but the audience seemed interested. They definitely perked up more, though, when the Men’s Fashion Trends Slide went up. People started talking at their tables and, when I cracked a couple of one-liners, I got way more reaction than I expected. I noticed immediately that the sudden buzz had a disproportionate number of female voices in it. When I made this point -- “Brown is the ‘new black’ in men’s serious business shoes. You can definitely wear brown now with a classic blue or charcoal grey suit to any important meeting … unless you wear bad shoes, then stick to black because brown shows off how really cheap that leather is.” – the hearty laughter seemed 70% female, which maybe confirms again that women definitely do judge men’s shoes… and a lot of guys get failing grades.

This time of year is good for discussing Men’s StyleTrends. Warmer weather gives us more options, which can be a double-edged sword if we wander too far off-base. It’s also a good time because our team has just finished doing trade shows across the U.S. and in Europe, and we have an up-to-date sense of what’s going on out there. Here’s the slide from the presentation, filled in with the comments and edited to incorporate some impressions after the shows.

Quick Primer of Men's Style trends

-What's Hot: Classic American Styling, authentic American heritage brands (i.e. pre-WWII), long-lasting quality, sensible values, fewer luxury splurges, i.e. Mad Men attire. This "new normal" era means more classic sensibilities and made in USA is big across the globe (even bigger in Asia).

-Brown is the "new black" in high quality leather shoes for the office (but not in those low quality "hide-of-the-Nauga" shoes where brown looks especially plastic). Suede is great now all year long, for both dress and casual wear in all different kinds of dress and casual shoes.

-Brogues (wingtips or captoes with perforated designs) are really big. Tasteful leather shoes are the right thing for weekends (men aren't wearing last year's running shoes with their jeans anymore). Brogues can also be made of saddle leather types and thicker soles that give them a rougher look.

-Stylish vests work in place of sport coats at the office or social events. French cuff shirts with personal-connection cufflinks are back in the office and with upscale weekend wear (cufflinks reflect the man's individuality with hobby or city themes).

-Tasteful plaid ties or Brooks Brothers' rep-stripes are preferred again over $150 patterns depicting aristocratic equine paraphernalia.

-Leather is displacing ballistic nylon in briefcases, duffel bags and rolling carry-ons. After 20 years of never using their bags for cover in a gunfight, I guess men feel safe switching back to classic and natural materials.

-College baseball caps in winter have been displaced by Stormy Kromer or Scottish caps and Indy Jones hats.

-Moderate-length leather coats (longer than aviator cuts) will make a comeback in fall 2011.

P.S. I asked a colleague for input on the above list. His comments are so good, I thought I’d quote them here…
From Brett Klein, our wholesale salesman in New York City who has great fashion sense…

Men are really caring and taking pride in how they look and dress again. Not just dressing up for the office (which we all know has been more important over the last couple years), but it’s clear how much effort men are putting into their casual looks. Across the country (and clearly evident in and around NYC) at first glance a guy may look like a modern day lumberjack to some degree, but it’s clear how crafted and put together his outfit is. Every item speaks to heritage, quality, made in the USA. Most of it is brand new out of the box or off the hanger, but it has a vintage look and feel and is clearly authentic.

Your first few bullet points on shoe trends, plus my above paragraph bring something else to mind regarding our specific new product (Elgin, McTavish, etc): The trends are clearly classic, the consumer wants authentic American brands, men are putting more effort into dressing, and classic dress looks are being worn in a way that they haven’t in modern times. All of these things allow us (at Allen Edmonds) to take some liberties and have some fun with our new SP11 and FL11 designs, creating new looks with our classic patterns, but having the freedom and opportunity to reinterpret them in a manner we haven’t previously with new casual leathers/materials, contrast stitching, raw and natural finishes on leather and soles, etc. Shoes are really fun again in a way they haven’t been for awhile.

Best wishes,

Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

2011-02-17T09:13:00.009-06:00

“It’s great to work with pros!” is one of my favorite sayings these days. Normally when I use it, I’m referring to a solid idea or insight from one of our experts at Allen Edmonds. We’ve assembled quite a team of key people across our company – insiders with career-long experience in shoe design, shoemaking, leathers, Recrafting®, sizing and fitting, shoe sales, finance and systems. And to these we’ve added some relative newcomers with career-long outside experience in marketing, retail management, wholesale management, international markets, quality assurance, recruiting and smart men’s business and casual fashions from head-to-foot. They’re an outstanding group of first class people in every sense of the term.

Lately, though, the saying applies more literally – It’s great to work with golf pros! We just introduced our new line of golf shoes -- called the “Honors Collection” -- at the annual PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando. Ben Crenshaw is our spokesman for our line. Not only is Ben a Hall of Fame golfer, victorious Ryder Cup Captain and two-time Masters Champion, he’s also a first class guy who is generally regarded as one of the foremost experts on golf history and tradition. He also has designed some highly-ranked, classic-inspired golf course around the country. We’re truly honored to have Ben represent our Honors Collection.

At the PGA Show the “buzz” around our booth was palpable. We were asked to do live interviews on ESPN radio, we talked to golf magazine editors and, at their request, we supplied samples to a TV crew doing a feature on golf fashion. Our booth was full for three days straight. We met pros from many of the best courses from coast-to-coast. Many told us of the gap they see in the market for the classic, 360 degree welted golf shoe – the kind of shoe serious golfers have worn for years and years. The whole line was given thumbs up reviews with the shark-skin REDAN and the DOUBLE EAGLE being the most jaw dropping. The innovative DOUBLE EAGLE shoe offers the feel, stability and support of a classic golf shoe when you swing and the comfort of a breathable running shoe mesh when you walk 4+ miles on a hot day. By the way, the whole line is available for Recrafting® which, for golf, we’re calling our “Mulligan Service.”

I was especially impressed by how many of these pros knew our Allen Edmonds history in the golfing business. In the days before surlyn-covered balls, we made the shoes that one of the greatest legends of all time wore exclusively, on and off the course. Now we’re back in the business and some touring pros have already called to ask us to fit them.

Several of us at the company are life-long golfers ourselves, so this is more and more fun all the time. Check out our video at www.allenedmonds.com/golf and see what I mean. It really is good to work with pros.

Hit ‘em straight!

Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

2010-10-26T15:38:00.005-05:00

Last week, Wisconsin’s Gov. Jim Doyle visited our plant and made some great comments about Allen Edmonds. While he spoke, I was able to see his staff-prepared notes and noticed he wasn’t really using them. So his remarks were especially impressive and uplifting, given that they were so well delivered in his own words. Our production people take great care and pride in what they do. Having the Governor praise their efforts the way he did was just terrific for them to hear. Below is the link to a video of his visit…

The occasion was to announce a $1.5 million Economic Development Loan that the State of Wisconsin and Ozaukee County together have awarded to Allen Edmonds to help fund investments in our manufacturing capacity and increased employment in Port Washington. If we hire 200 or more people, the loan will be converted to a grant. Currently, we have about 285 full time employees in our Port Washington facilities, so an additional 200 represents significant growth in jobs in the area. Here’s what’s happening:

We’re expanding manufacturing capacity with an entirely new shoe production line that will be located in our building on the west side of Interstate 43. This line brings handsewn shoe production to Port Washington for the first time (it’s a different construction than our existing welted shoe manufacturing), and we’ll be able to produce some 50,000 handsewn pairs a year. With the growth in demand for our welted American Classics dress and casual shoes, we will be expanding employment on our welted line as well. We’re also adding employment in Wisconsin to our Recrafting, shipping, inventory management and headquarters operations as we grow our business.

None of this would be happening, of course, without the support of our loyal customers. We’re grateful to the Governor, the State and the County for helping us make these investments more aggressively than we might have otherwise. And we’re grateful to you, our supporters, for the momentum that makes this growth possible. It’s a great feeling to be growing American jobs again. Thank you!

Best wishes,

Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

Read the Press Release

2010-10-12T10:18:00.015-05:00

With the leaves turning color and fall upon us, I thought I’d revisit some themes of this summer one last time for this month’s blog.

In mid-July I wrote about learnings from my various travels during the first half of the year. I can say that the three months since then have reinforced those experiences. First, about the economy. There continues to be a dire tone to newspaper economic reports these days. But one of the apparent advantages of being close to actual daily consumer activity is that we can read the economic pulse pretty well, maybe better than the newspapers that seem always to be looking back a few months and highlighting bad news. Based on what we’ve seen, I feel confident that the erudite (yet very pragmatic) economist I heard in L.A. in May was right – the average employed American consumer is recovering to a New Normal of spending behavior. The craziness of a few years ago has not returned, of course, and most likely never will in my lifetime, but the consumer is again driving economic growth.

A week ago, I was in our store in an upscale mall in suburban Detroit – a place where economic woes have hit especially hard. Well, our store there has had an upsurge in the past few months and the entire mall was much busier than I expected on a late Saturday afternoon in early October. The Starbucks upstairs from us had a constant line of people extending out the store’s doors, despite it being past the time to switch to decaf. The entire mall had almost an early-December vibe to it. Improving consumer confidence with 90% employment seems a powerful force, and that’s good news for everyone in the U.S., I hope.

Second, I mentioned in July that international fashion trends have turned decidedly toward authentic American Classic styling. The Fall Collections that have now made their debuts in stores across the nation certainly bear that out. Pictures tell the story better than I ever could. Here is a link to some photos of a Spring 2011 runway show by fashion designer Marlon Gobel, who used Allen Edmonds shoes throughout his collection. You see plainly here the trend toward traditional brown dress shoes paired with very casual apparel, even shorts. I had a customer ask me recently what to wear with khakis and jeans and I told him to look at walnut Strands or McAllisters, burnished brown San Marcos or the Players Shoe that we made for the PGA Championship.

Speaking of the PGA, the golfers in that tournament liked our shoes so much that the PGA asked us afterward to makes shoes for the entire U.S. Team competing over in Wales. If you look at photos of the opening ceremonies a couple weeks ago, you can see the team wearing our walnut Lombards with their suits. At the closing celebration, when tuxes were the order, the team wore black Park Avenues. Some men like patent leather shoes more with a tux, but Park Avenues work just as well or better at today’s formal events, and they’re much more versatile additions to the wardrobe.

Best wishes,

Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

2010-08-10T13:44:00.009-05:00

This week, the best golfers in the world converge for the 92nd PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin, just north of our manufacturing plant and headquarters. It’s a tradition for the host course to give the competitors a gift and, couple months ago, the Director of Golf Operations for Kohler Co. and the Head Pro at Whistling Straits came to us to talk about Allen Edmonds being involved. They said they were hoping to give the players something special and custom-made, rather than the typical engraved glass dish that often gets left behind. Colin Hall, our head of marketing and international business, led our effort. He and I and a bunch of us here at AE are big golf fans, so we were particularly delighted to be asked and to be able to help out such a great neighbor.

Together with our production and product design teams, we chose a new shoe style that’s pictured below and named it, “The Player’s Shoe.” As I mentioned in my last blog, American classic styling has returned to the top of the charts, here and internationally, and suede is also “en fuego” as they say on the golf course. We chose our popular blucher wing tip pattern, added a new “toasted” treatment on the double-oak sole and offered it in five different colors of suede for the players and tournament executives to select their favorite. In the various colors, it’s a shoe that transcends age – as attractive to one of the flashier newcomers on tour as it is to those whose class has epitomized the great traditions of golf throughout their illustrious careers.

We’ve been taking sizes and choices all weekend and into yesterday, and hearing great reactions from the players. Our factory is suddenly like the short order breakfast kitchen on a Saturday morning, whipping up shoes from scratch in rapid fire. The shoes will all be delivered by the opening rounds on Thursday, placed in the players’ lockers. We’ve added custom shoe trees to the gift, each one engraved with the Whistling Straits PGA Championship logo and the player’s name underneath it.

It was clear we had a winner when a certain UK player, a great guys’ guy who sometimes plays with a cigar in hand, asked to order a second pair in blue as he was selecting his first pair in white. If you’re wondering….the overwhelming favorite is the Dark Chocolate (slate colored) version. Second is the Sand color, but all five are well represented in the field.

We’ve really enjoyed working with the Kohler people. They have been great. As Harvey Penick famously said, “If you play golf, you’re my friend.” I also always liked Ben Hogan’s mantra, “The harder I practice, the luckier I get.”

See you at the Tournament,

Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

2010-07-19T12:27:00.017-05:00

Since about 1983, I’ve always traveled more than I’d like as part of my work. Despite the delayed flights, stiff knees and time away from home, I know there’s nothing like travel for interesting conversations and observations about what’s really going on. Travel’s value seems even higher now that we live in the proverbial “interesting times.”

I’ve had a chance to be in several diverse places in the past few weeks: Beverly Hills, Las Vegas, Tokyo, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Florence (Italy), Houston, New Orleans and New York. I’ve connected with old friends and new acquaintances in the process, and I thought I’d share a few of the things I’ve learned, from macro to micro…

On the Economy: The consensus on three continents is that the worst is behind us. However, there is definitely now an enduring “new normal”, which consists of a flight to quality in all things and also of value-focused individual consumption. Consumers fear getting back into too much debt and there’s general risk-aversion in all economic life everywhere. Somebody told me that last year almost everybody was scared and paralyzed, but now two-thirds of the U.S. working populace knows their jobs are pretty secure and they’re comfortable coming back to shopping (but at the “new normal” rate). The other third is nervous and very reluctant to spend. A distinguished, private-sector economist I heard speak in LA laid out a convincing case for optimism about the economy, though. He said the housing crisis is gradually being resolved with home prices moving up, houses selling again and mortgage defaults in major decline; manufacturing employment and productivity are growing; financial institutions are safer again; and the international economy is improved, not much in Japan or as much in Europe as in the USA, but improved (a view substantiated by our shoe manufacturing partners in Italy). So, this economist posits that the likelihood of a double dip recession is very low. The financial crisis in Greece and the Gulf oil spill, while serious problems, are not the threats to our economic livelihood that we may perceive.

On Fashion Styles: Having had the lucky privilege of living in Europe in the mid-1980s, when you could often tell people’s home country just by their shoes , it is now amazing to me how much more homogenized fashions have become across Europe and the U.S. The good news for us at Allen Edmonds is that international styles have swung definitively toward authentic American classics. That trend was even more obvious in Florence this summer than my last visit there in January. Tokyo also looked like any large U.S. city in terms of clothing, store windows and shoes. After 20+ years of European (particularly Italian) styling dominating the global palette, it’s now the Europeans who are following America again, perhaps at a level not seen since the 1960s, with round-toed brogue wingtips a part of every company’s new collections … for men and for women.

On Leathers and Soles: Suede is all the rage this summer from Florence to Beverly Hills. Elvis’s blue suede shoes are everywhere. Lighter-colored calfskins and distinctive burnishings are also much more prevalent. It’s no longer a choice between black and dark brown for dress attire, not at all. Newly designed unit soles that stake their own fashion claim are also big.

On Colors:
Last year I came back from Florence’s major fashion trade show and joked about purple fabrics adorning every mannequin in every booth there. Well, purple seems to be “so last year.” Various bright colors of blue (not so much navy, but brighter) have taken purple’s place. Orange is out there, too. And I can’t believe the number of yellow cars I’ve seen lately. Maybe the brighter economic outlook and bright colors -- the creeping new optimism and the light blues, orange and yellows – go together somehow. So, what am I supposed to do now with the purple shirts I’ve only worn once or twice?

Other Things I Learned: (1) Refs in the World Cup are as error-prone as major league umpires and NFL officials. The crisis in confidence in leaders’ judgment has obviously spread to the sports world. (2) Large groups of American high-schoolers on a two week tour of countries with no drinking age are crazy. (3) We have a growing group of international representatives in several (for us) new countries; American classic dress is spanning the globe. And (3), every place I went I met devoted Allen Edmonds fans eager to tell me how much they love our shoes and our company. (The impressive economist in L.A. was wearing black calf Randolphs, by the way, but he asked me to bring out the Delray in suede….Even the economists are getting hipper these days.)

Interesting times, for sure.

Warm regards,

Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

2010-04-30T11:14:00.004-05:00

One of the things I like best about my job is reading letters from people I call “Allen Edmonds Men” – stand up guys who invariably take their multiple roles in life very seriously, and themselves less so. They always have interesting, often entertaining and even inspirational tales to tell about an experience with their Allen Edmonds shoes. We’re honored to be associated with these men.

Earlier this month I received a great letter from Bob Moore, a business executive from North Carolina. Finishing a work trip to New York, Bob was wearing a pair of Allen Edmonds when he boarded that fateful U.S. Air flight that ended up making an emergency landing on the Hudson River.

With his permission, below is Bob’s inside story of what happened that day,which he prepared for family and friends. If you’re looking for some reassurance about the American spirit of goodwill amid today’s scandal epidemic, read on…

Best wishes,

Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

“Flight 1549.

The Airbus was a little late leaving LaGuardia airport. Nothing unusual with that. Leaving LGA on-time …. now that would be unusual. About a minute or so into the flight, I heard a loud “BANG” coming from what I thought was the right side of the plane. The plane was shaking. Then it seemed all the mechanicals stopped because the normal noises ceased. We started a slow turn to the left and I figured we were returning to the airport because something was really bad. I don’t think any of us on the plane realized for certain we were going down until the pilot announced for us to brace for impact. I then assumed the position of doing my best to inspect the shoes of the guy sitting behind me. It seemed forever between the “bang” and the captain’s announcement and an equal lifetime between his announcement and the impact.

In that position at that time is when I had the calmest moment of my life. I realized we were going to crash and die. I asked the Lord to let me in and that I was looking forward to seeing Him. I prayed for Him to watch out for Manchie and the kids and be with them. I hoped we would miss any heavily occupied buildings (that was a just a thought, but apparently He looked after that too).

Impact was not at all bad. My hands were on top of my head since I was doing shoe inspections and my right hand was slightly scratched and is swollen. No damage to my other hand or my head. I then thought, “Well, Bob, seems you may have a thing or two left to do here on earth.”

As soon as we stopped, and that doesn’t take long when you land on/in the water, we started our herd mentality to exit the plane. I think this was about the first time I heard “women and children first”. It was repeated often and was actually followed as best we could in such confined spaces.

We exited onto the right wing. The water was up to the top of my shoes when I got on the wing or shortly after. Our raft had inflated, but was upside down and pushed back against the side of the plane. Men closest to the back edge of the wing were trying to wrestle the raft closer and turn it over so folks could get on. Well, the guys were having no success with righting the raft, but had managed to get it closer to the wing as the water reached our knees and then someone yelled…“get on the raft…. The bottom is ok…. It will work that way.” That’s when the women and children rule kicked in again.

Then eureka…!! A guy noticed a ferry heading our way. The ferry’s ladder had a small platform at the end just at the water’s surface. When my turn to leave the plane/boat came, we had to jump for the ladder as it was not always right at the wing. The ladder only accommodated one at a time, so we stayed there until each “right wing” person got aboard. Aside: was I on the correct wing or what?

I was soaking wet and slightly cold. Being immersed in freezing water and standing in freezing air tends to chill a person. Some gentleman draped his suit coat over me and a lady asked if I wanted to use her cell phone. Turns out, they were two of the passengers on the ferry when our plane went in.

Of course the ferry terminal was not prepared for large influx of cold, wet non-passengers. The two kids running the small snack shop in the terminal opened it up to us, giving us coffee, tea, hot chocolate, snacks…. whatever we wanted. Later, the owner showed up in a tux and wearing shades. I thanked him for what he was doing and he said: “hey man, it is the only thing we can do. We have to do this, it’s the right thing”. Or something close. He echoed the sentiments expressed in words AND actions by literally every person who was there…

…Got a few hugs and kisses from Manchie when I walked in the house. Guess an extra day in NYC made her miss me even more than usual. Not long after getting home, Manchie’s phone rang -- it was a USAirways customer service rep checking up on me. She said they would return any personal items they recovered and reimburse for medical expenses and lost items. Wish I could claim that new iPod, the brand new computer, my two Italian suits, Blu-Ray dvd player, those three pair of Allen Edmonds shoes (actually the ones that got ruined were Allen Edmond… drat.), the 42” flat screen TV, and the 2009 Escalade….

The overall experience was actually very positive. Seeing people at their best and coming to know that our life on this earth is fragile is rewarding. It tends to focus you on the important things.”

Bob Moore (fourth from the left below)

2010-04-26T12:15:00.014-05:00

Last year, in the depths of the Great Recession, we came up with the idea of a promotional discount on our Recrafting services so that our loyal customers would have the chance to keep their favorite shoes in great shape, at a discounted price. We knew many customers were postponing buying new shoes until the economy improved and we wanted to help. We also wanted to keep our people occupied and to avoid further layoffs.

The results were astounding – we were inundated with shoes, so many in fact that the local U.S. Post Office in Port Washington called to ask, “What are you guys doing there?!” They wanted us to come see the boxes piled up on their dock. We ended up receiving about 8,000 pairs in three weeks. It took us about 6 weeks to catch up to the onslaught.

This year, we decided to do it again, but we expected reduced demand with the economy improving and sales of new shoes recovering. We were wrong. We’ve taken in well over 16,000 pair this year. While we’ve added to our Recrafting staffing to handle increased demand, we’re still going to need a few weeks to catch up again. Our apologies to those who hoped to receive their shoes back in the normal timeframe.

Here’s a picture of our Recrafting team surrounded by a fraction of the shoes that have been sent. John Bittner in the center heads the team and does a great job. He has spent his whole career in shoemaking at Allen Edmonds. Recrafting involves some different skills than are required to make new shoes, so we have this team dedicated to nothing else.

We’ll recraft some 50-60,000 pairs of Allen Edmonds shoes this year. Some of the shoes we’ll do are 30 or 40 years old and still in great shape. It’s like a walk through the archives to see these shoes come in for Recrafting, which is especially fun for our longer tenured employees and a real pride-builder for all of us at Allen Edmonds.

Best wishes,

Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

2010-04-08T09:34:00.014-05:00

Greetings –

As you may know, the shoe industry is an extremely price-competitive, global business. Fifty years ago, almost all shoes sold in the USA were made in this country. But today, over 90% of the shoes that are sold onshore are manufactured offshore, most often in China.

American manufacturing is a steadfast commitment that we have here at Allen Edmonds. We employ over 380 people in this country, mostly in Port Washington, Wisconsin. Sustaining and building that U.S. employee base is a big part of what drives our entire management team. We’re proud that we’re still able to sell hundreds of thousands of shoes per year that are Made in the USA, despite our higher U.S. labor costs. In fact, we strive to make superior quality products that represent the best value of any company manufacturing shoes anywhere.

Our hard work is paying off -- the robust strengthening of consumer demand for our products since November has us adding to our USA headcount in 2010 and we’ve hired about 25 production people just since January. As our Timeless Classics, new Executive Collection, Rugged Casuals, boots and other welted shoes continue to attract a wider customer following, we plan to hire more people here throughout the year and beyond. I tell you, hiring grateful new people sure beats the layoffs forced upon us by the global recession.

Another trend in the shoe industry over the past few years is that men are dressing very casually on the weekends. Competitors are matching consumers’ desires with simple boat shoe designs, flat lasted slip-ons, sandals, and… well, you know what kind of shoes you have in your closet that you like to wear around the house and yard. We call them ‘garage door’ shoes because men leave them by the garage door and slip them on before rushing to do an errand, getting the newspaper or walking the dog. They’re much simpler shoes to manufacture than our Timeless Classics with our 212-step USA manufacturing process. Boat shoes require low-cost manufacturing to sell at low prices.

Rather than continue to forfeit this substantial business opportunity to our 100% offshore competitors, we’ve decided to stand up and compete directly against them. Recently, we’ve begun producing a handful of lower-priced slippers and casual rubber-bottom slip-ons in our small company-owned plant in the Dominican Republic. We have developed this plant and trained the employees over the past three years. All of the people there are Allen Edmonds employees, working closely with our manufacturing and quality control executives in Wisconsin. These new products help us to sustain and improve our overall market share, to broaden our presence on the shelves of our dealers, to cover some of our U.S. overhead costs and to grow our company, which secures job growth in both the U.S. and the D.R. in the process.

What products am I talking about? The new BOULDER slip-on is one of them, as is the WINTHROP driving moccasin, the BANFF slipper and a couple styles of simple boat shoes that we’re introducing this summer. Our new Major League Baseball®-licensed “BASEBALL SHOES” – that we just introduced for Opening Day 2010 -- also are being made in our DR plant so that we can keep the price low enough for fans of all ages to enjoy them. Our next Fall catalog will note which shoes are made in the DR for those of you who prefer American Made shoes. Likewise, our website will provide similar notation.

Our Made in USA shoes will remain 95% of our production this year and in the future. A handful of simpler styles we will make with our good people in the Dominican Republic, and thereby provide jobs and economic opportunity just a few hundred miles off of Florida (which is also good for America).

Many of you will not want to buy any shoe made outside of the U.S., which we really respect and appreciate. Others of you will make an exception for these simpler shoes, and we hope you’ll choose ours over the competition’s. Rest assured, all of our products will offer an incredible value, superior quality, and great American styling, backed by our commitment to superior customer service.

Thanks for your support of Allen Edmonds.

Warm regards,

Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

2010-04-05T10:00:00.004-05:00

Across the country, today is one of the most important days of the year, at least in my book… Opening Day of the pro baseball season. Today is also Opening Day for Allen Edmonds and our new licensing relationship with Major League Baseball® and we’re excited about it.

We’re introducing three new styles of boat shoes that carry the logos of your favorite teams. They’re intended to be fun and not taken too seriously (Facebook posts, please note). They’re good shoes for a tailgater at the ballpark, for relaxing on a casual weekend or for sharing a common love of the Great American Pastime with friends. They’re also great shoes for a father to share his passion of baseball with his son or daughter, which why we made them as small as size 5.

The BALLPARK is the shoe reminiscent of the today’s kids’ elite traveling teams and the pros – and like their bags of brand new baseballs, it’s all white and unscuffed. The SANDLOT has the look of a baseball that many of us spent hours hitting and tossing around in games of hotbox, 500 and pick-up ball in the street, at the local park or in some vacant lot. It’s made of distressed leather that looks like it has seen a lot of action in the long grass, the dirt and a mud puddle or two. The TEAM SHOE is the shoe for today’s hometown fan. My sons and I will be wearing the Minnesota Twins TEAM SHOES at Opening Day in the new Twins Ballpark. Those shoes will have sentimental value for years to come.

We’re also introducing Major League Baseball shoe trees and bat-themed tie hangers and belt hangers. They’re great gift-giving ideas for Father’s Day or any fan’s next birthday. How about taking a mundane closet article and giving it that something extra that puts a smile on your favorite fan’s face each day?

There’s something about baseball. Terrence Mann (James Earl Jones) in Field of Dreams had it right…"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America is ruled by it like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game, is a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again. Oh, people will come, Ray. People will come most definitely come."

Play Ball,

Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

2010-03-10T12:31:00.004-06:00

Shoes are a basic human need. When poverty or disaster strikes, people often think immediately about the suffering caused by a lack of clothing, but the pain of not having the protection of a decent pair of shoes can be overlooked. Enter Soles4Souls, a charity that collects new and used shoes for distribution in places struck by tragedy and disaster around the world. At Allen Edmonds, we’re pleased to have been a partner with Soles4Souls for years, holding an annual collection in our stores and making donations from our factory.

This year, when the need is so immense, we’re dedicating our annual Soles4Souls event to the victims of the Haiti earthquake. Just bring a pair (or more!) of still-wearable shoes into one of our stores and we’ll make sure they get to Soles4Soles, who’ll then make sure they get to Haiti. As a thank you to you for helping us help this great organization, we offer a $35 discount on a purchase of a pair of new shoes through March 14th.

America has always led the way in helping others in times of tragedy around the world. Normally, our stores do this shoe collection event in the fall, but we moved it up to March to help meet the incredible need in Haiti. Soles4Souls, which was founded in the immediate aftermath of the 2004 Asian tsunami, has already distributed over 7 million pairs of shoes to people in need. An incredible track record.

Supporting charities and the greater good is something we know Allen Edmonds Men do every day at an exemplary level, often in key leadership positions. We’re extremely proud to be the shoe of choice for countless men who give back so much. We consider it an honor to be associated with you.

Our company’s thanks and my personal thanks to all who help us collect shoes for Soles4Souls and the victims of the devastation in Haiti.

Best wishes,

Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

2010-02-18T16:41:00.004-06:00

Spring is always an exciting time of year. After the sports pages have covered the Winter Olympics, enthusiasts and columnists will quickly turn again to baseball and spring training. Even in the depths of the Snow Belt, February and March usually bring a few days of sunshine when rubber-coated baseballs and trusty mitts are brought out, only to be returned to the closet when the proverbial March Lion roars again.

Spring this year is especially exciting at Allen Edmonds. We have a talented line-up of new shoes just now hitting the stores. Here are a few highlights:

As mentioned in my last blog, it’s the PARK AVENUE’S 30th Anniversary as The Great American Business Shoe. The new walnut pebble grain P.A. responds to the current movement to “Authentic Americana” (as Newsweek called the new fashion trend). Now the P.A. not only looks great in black calfskin with a dark suit, it also looks fantastic with jeans or khakis in walnut grain.

The early results in our retail stores tell us that we’ve once again connected with our loyal customers with the re-introduction of two additional Timeless Classics – the BENTON and the WALTON. The WALTON, with its double oak sole retro-profile, seems especially exciting to new and younger customers given the fashion momentum toward authentic and classic Americana. In the same vein, the MACNEIL long wingtip has become more versatile in its new navy, walnut and burgundy leathers. The LOMBARD is a blucher wingtip on the tasteful Executive Collection rubber sole.

The younger man’s “look” in business casual settings or at social gatherings today is an untucked white shirt with a patterned inside collar and cuffs, a pair of dark blue jeans and a pair of brown or walnut WALTONs, MACNEIL s, LOMBARDs or STRANDs. To see why, try our new pants comparison feature on our wwwallenedmonds.com website with the STRAND.
The CHARLESTON, AUGUSTA, BOSTON and WESTCHESTER offer fresh new takes on some classic leather-bottom silhouettes – a mocc toe, a medallioned balmoral, a monk strap and a classic penny loafer.

To our collection of Italian-made shoes, we’ve added a couple new winners. The FIRENZE is a comfort-first, rubber-soled slip-on with a bit more fashion-forward toe shape and the RIMINI is a penny with that sleek, thin Italian leather sole and superb ultra-soft leather. Both are perfect under khakis or other lightweight pants in spring and summer, with socks or without.

Finally, take a look at a couple new Weekend Collection shoes. The WINTHROP is an incredibly supple but durable driving moccasin that we’ll put up against any in the field in terms of leather quality and construction. And the BOULDER Venetian slip-on promises to be the power-hitter of this roster. It has a thicker drop-in sole with ergonomic cushioning built into the sole’s interesting pattern. The BOULDER’s mudguard rim with the sole’s side extensions, plus the water repellant leather treatment we’ve added, make this the perfect transition shoe – it’s great in spring but also fully capable to handle winter’s last roar.

Lots to like this year….

Best wishes,

Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

2010-02-10T12:29:00.011-06:00

This year, Allen Edmonds’ all-star performer, the Park Avenue, celebrates its 30th Anniversary as The Great American Shoe for Business. Our company couldn’t be more proud. After 30 years in the marketplace, the Park Avenue still remains our #1 selling style. Thirty years at the top of any “bestseller” list is an incredible accomplishment. From coast-to-coast and in business centers around the world, men heading to board meetings, C-suites, corner offices, important client calls, closing courtroom arguments and the first day on the new job have been trusting the Park Avenue to help make the right impression.

Sometimes 1980 seems like just yesterday, at least until I realize what was going on in 1980. Jimmy Carter was finishing his last year in office, Americans were still held hostage in Iran, the U.S. boycotted the Moscow Summer Olympics, CNN went on the air to revolutionize television, Christopher Cross cleaned up at the Grammy Awards, Ordinary People won Best Picture, and Al Michaels asked and immediately answered that unforgettable question, “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!” as a bunch of young bucks from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Massachusetts beat the great Soviet hockey juggernaut at Lake Placid.

I began my business career in 1980 and I can’t tell you how many pairs of Park Avenues I’ve seen on impressive leaders in all walks of life over the many years. Although we fell short in January 2009, Park Avenues had been on the feet of every President since Ronald Reagan when taking the Oath of Office. In my first few months on-the-job here at AE, other heads of state ordered up Made in USA Park Avenues before meeting their cohorts. The next time you see a photo of global leaders lined-up for a photo opp at a summit meeting, take a look at their shoes and notice the Park Avenues.

The Park Avenue has set the standard for long-lasting quality across the shoe industry. Many a man still has the first pair of Park Avenues he ever owned and they’re still in good shape. They may have been recrafted a couple or even several times, but they’re as sturdy, comfortable, tasteful and impressive as ever.

In celebration of 30 great years and to help the next generation of Park Avenues last well into the middle of the 21st Century, until March 12th 2010, we’re offering a free pair of commemorative shoe trees to absorb harmful moisture and help the shoes hold their shape for many years to come. If you don’t have a pair of these shoes, they belong in your collection in black, burnished brown or maybe the very versatile walnut pebble grain appearing beneath jeans as often as blue suits these days. That’s the nature of classics -- they speak to succeeding generations in both familiar and new ways.

Happy Birthday, P.A.!

Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

2009-12-22T14:16:00.001-06:00

Dear Allen Edmonds Customers:

The year 2009 has finished with an exciting flourish in our business here at Allen Edmonds. It seems that style trends, as recently reported in the press, definitely are favoring authentic, classic American looks. We're pleased to be able to serve our longstanding and new customers with our promise to be the Great American Shoe Company.

At this special time of year, we pause even more than usual to reflect on the importance of loyal customers and friends to our company and our employees. We thank you very much for your support.

To you and yours from all of us at Allen Edmonds -- Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for Good Health, Happiness, Peace and Prosperity in 2010!

Warm regards,

Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

2009-12-09T16:57:00.010-06:00

It’s always tough to shop for men in December. Golf courses across the north have taken in the flagsticks, only die-hard cyclists risk the winter wipe-out, favorite hunting seasons are suddenly past and after-work sunlight is a long way off. Some logical gifts for the man’s favorite pastimes would sit for weeks, maybe even months, in a closet before becoming usable. No wonder the guys themselves often shrug, “I dunno.” when asked what’s on their wish list, causing much frustration among would-be gift-givers.

Wives, girlfriends, kids, friends, work colleagues, grandparents, in-laws … stress no more this year! Allen Edmonds has a new line-up of gifts that are sure to put a smile on that man’s face -- not just this month, but even in those dark days of January and February, and then throughout the year. Watch the video below for some great gift ideas.

Batting first (literally), I’m absolutely thrilled to announce here that Allen Edmonds has just entered into a partnership with Major League Baseball. Both organizations thought that “the Great American Pastime” and “the Great American Shoe Company” ought to do some fun things together. While shoes and other products are being prepared for Opening Day, we do have some great new gifts to introduce soon. We have team logoed tie racks, belt racks and shoe trees that will greet the man every morning with thoughts of sunny days, fields of dreams, a childhood hero (our family dog is named after Harmon Killebrew), that impossible catch, a game-winning hit or a championship season. Every guy needs to have these items in his closet, why not give him one that goes way beyond the function? You can hear James Earl Jones right now… “Baseball, Ray. Oh yes, they will come.”

Batting second, French cuffs are back in style in a big way. I’ve been wearing my MLB baseball cufflinks this fall and all sorts of guys are walking up saying, “Cool!” Believe me, “cool” is not a word so often heard at my age. I love the classy yet fun nature of these sterling silver cufflinks. Check them out. My 17 year-old son wants both the baseballs and the Yankee Stadium links.

Batting third, in pockets around the U.S. there are men who wear only Vineyard Vines ties, and with good reason. Made in the U.S.A. of fine silk, these ties are All American. They don’t cost some silly fashion house price well over $100. Not at all. Yet, they look fantastic and there’s often something subtle to smile about in the patterns. (For instance, the key lime pie tie inter-mixes keys and limes.) Vineyard Vines is also a MLB licensee. Their team ties are the classiest looking team ties, even corporate logo ties, that I’ve ever seen – definitely wearable in professional situations. For the true Allen Edmonds fan, how about giving the new Park Avenue tie? 2010 is the 30th anniversary of America’s great business shoe and Vineyard Vines created a shoe tie to help us celebrate. As they always do, they made it both fun and classy.

Batting clean-up, small leather goods made out of the best leathers in the world. Many wallets, money clips and cardholders are made of weak leather and sewn with weak seams. No wonder they wear out so fast (hey, that sounds like a lot of imported shoes today…). Our new leather goods are made in the U.S.A. out of the same strong calfskin and even shell cordovan leathers as our long-lasting shoes. Like our shoes, though, we priced them to be accessible. They’re an incredible value.

Batting fifth, how about custom engraved shoe trees? We all know it’s the thought that counts. Why not engrave that thought in something the man will see every morning? Personalized sayings of affection, appreciation, admiration, congratulations or encouragement – any of these can be put where he’ll see it every day and his name can be added, too. It’s like a great greeting card that doesn’t get thrown out after a few days. And you’re the author, so the thought counts more than ever.

Batting sixth, real shearling-lined calfskin slippers with a driving moccasin sole. Our new Banff style may be the most perfect slipper we’ve ever come up with. There’s nothing second-rate about them – great shearling, great leather, great stitching and a sole that feels great inside the house or out. I wear mine all weekend long.

Batting seventh, Bobby Jones watches. Men like to have choices in what watch to wear, without investing a ton of money. I’ve had a couple of these Bobby Jones watches for the past two years, and I also have a dressy Swiss watch. Nobody ever comments on my Swiss watch, but my Bobby Jones watches get noticed at work as well as on the weekends. I like wearing them. They’re more comfortable, very durable and I don’t have to worry about throwing them in a golf bag, a TSA checkpoint bin at the airport or in my briefcase. I initially called them my “free-time watches”, but now I’m wearing them all the time.

Batting eight, the right belt. Seriously. Most guys think the right belt is something that’s close in color to the black or brown shoes they’re wearing. Typically, they wear some old belt with three different buckle marks in the leather caused by, ahem, adjusting the sizing for their “added maturity”. Just a fresh new belt might be a great idea. If they have favorite Allen Edmonds shoes, the exactly matching belt could be even better.

Batting ninth, a shoe care kit and the right polishes. OK, this is pretty functional but, if he has great shoes, he ought to take great care of them. Many spit-polishers in airports and clubhouses make the world’s best leathers look plastic-coated by the time they’re done. The patent-leather look isn’t right for our great black and brown calfskins. This is a terrific stocking-stuffer idea.

Pitching, Christmas shoes. These aren’t the “Christmas Shoes” in the song that’s being made into a movie. These are great red and green shoes for the neighborhood party, the gatherings of family and friends and the home movies taken around the tree. I wore my first pair to church on Christmas Eve last year and got high fives all around. Talk about spreading some goodwill, good cheer and good smiles on a cold dark night, these are sure to brighten the Season.

There you have it: an All Star line-up for the guy whose most articulate answer to your stressed-out question is, “I dunno.”

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year from all of us at Allen Edmonds!!!

Warm regards,

Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

2009-11-09T10:59:00.001-06:00

I remember that cold day in 1980. I was trainee in Chicago just a few months out of college and standing crammed in an over-crowded #22 Clark Street bus, wearing my winter coat, sweating through my shirt as the malfunctioning heater blasted hot stale air, with the predictable bus-ride headache brewing. My attention turned to the center column of my Wall Street Journal, which back then was where they ran eclectic human interest stories. It was the only page I could get to without elbowing the four people crushed around me.

The article was about how men should dress for work. Owning only a couple of “entry level” suits, five permanent-press shirts, a totally business-inappropriate plaid sport coat that I nonetheless wore once a week, and a pair of really bad dress shoes that I wore every day, I was sorely in need of the advice. “Dress for the job you want, not the one you have” was the main message. A sub-message was to avoid pale green ties that reflect an unhealthy pallor onto your face (I remember that part specifically because I was starting to feel like I could achieve the pallor without the tie). It was just after that ride that I invested in some cotton shirts and decent dress shoes like I had seen on the feet of the Vice Presidents around the office. And I stopped wearing that sport coat – not just to work, but to anywhere.

Fast forward sixteen years: I was now in charge of a department and a good man was in my office gunning for a promotion that was a stretch for him. We were in the advice-giving business where appearance matters when you’re trying to win clients’ trust. He obviously hadn’t read that WSJ article and nobody had ever said anything to him about his misfit wardrobe. It’s always hard to give dress advice in work settings, yet it’s sometimes the difference between deserved success and not-so-much. I finally decided to tell him he needed to invest in higher quality attire if he wanted a better chance at the job. He did invest – that same week – and sometime later he got the promotion he wanted. What’s more, when I spoke to him about his attire, he thanked me for being so candid and unexpectedly helpful.

Why is it that so many guys will invest maybe $1000-2000 for an impressive tailored suit, shirt and tie…and then finish it off with, well, really bad shoes? You’ve seen them, I’ve seen them, all over the country. Yet, their role models have usually figured out that good shoes complete the impressive look. If you’re a boss or mentor to somebody in cheap-looking shoes, maybe it’s time for some candid and helpful career advice.

Best wishes,

Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

2009-11-06T10:44:00.019-06:00

The calendar has turned to November now. Around the country, the various versions of winter weather are about to move in with unstoppable determination. That obviously means hidden puddles of water in most regions and, across the Snow Belt, it means that enemy of good leather – street salt. At Allen Edmonds, we’re passionate about the health of your footwear. We believe that we’re the largest shoe cobbler in the world: Recrafting™ some 50,000 pairs of shoes a year! And we make our fine shoes to last for years, not just several months.

This November we’re introducing two new ways to battle the salt, puddles and slush. First, we’ve introduced the new EXECUTIVE COLLECTION shoes –absolutely top quality dress shoes with a cushioned footbed and impressively tasteful rubber out-sole. Unless you turn your shoes upside down and look closely, you can’t tell that these soles are rubber. But they stay dry and help keep the salt lines away like rubber should, and the cushioning inside gives them “out of the box” comfort. Here are pictures of the Van Ness and the Lombard from the Collection, just fantastic dress shoes. For the man who wants to protect his shoes from the elements, or who just prefers the extra cushioning, the EXECUTIVE COLLECTION is the right choice for sharp-looking attire.

Our second winter offering is a brand new kind of galoshes called SWIMS™. I was up in Toronto last winter (Canadians know a lot about winter) and discovered SWIMS™ in a shoe store there. Made by a Norwegian company (Norway does winter, too), these are the best shoe coverings you’ve ever encountered. Unlike other rubbers that leave a dull residue on your shoes, SWIMS™ are lined with a soft material that actually buffs your shoe while you walk. They’re more sturdy and long-lasting than other products. And they come in different colors if you want to brighten up a grey day. We started carrying SWIMS™ in our New York and Chicago stores in early October and sold out of our initial supply in just a few days!

Winter is a great season; at least I’ve always thought so as a die-hard Minnesotan. My native-Texan wife and I disagree about the virtues of walking on frozen lakes (she clearly doesn’t think I walk on water) or slipping out-of-control on snow (aka “skiing”), but she now agrees that winter has its own charms. You just have to be prepared.

Stay dry,

Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO

2009-09-18T13:56:00.011-05:00

It’s a pretty diverse range of shoes that come into our Port Washington factory every week for Recrafting ™. Many of them look like they are at least 20, even 30 years old, and have seen a lot of living. Some are styles discontinued long ago. In today’s throw-away world, we’re proud to make shoes that last so long and are such a great investment.

Recently, we received a pair of shoes that were very unusual – and just plain fun to see. An Allen Edmonds friend from Southern California sent in a pair of Strawfuts that are at least 60 years old. In the days before air conditioning, keeping customers’ feet cool and comfortable also led to a styling opportunity. The air-flow mesh is made of nylon for durability and, at their advanced age, they sure did hold up well. They must have been saved for special occasions because these shoes had never been touched by a cobbler – the soles were the originals and in pretty good shape. The heels were worn down, though, so we replaced them, fixed a couple of tears and loose seams, and then refinished the leather. It’s interesting to imagine these shoes in their early years. I picture somebody wearing a Mark Twain white linen summer suit, maybe a straw hat to ward off the sun, and these Strawfuts. If shoes could talk, I wonder what stories these would tell…

Best wishes,

Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO

2009-07-28T08:59:00.017-05:00

Early in my finance career, when the loss of some local business to the “experts from out-of-town” was visibly gnawing at me, one of my mentors said, “Paul, don’t let it bug you so much. It’s just business. It’s not personal.” For better and for worse (mostly better), I’ve never been able to follow that advice. To me, business involves people and people are what it’s all about in life – so it has to be personal. I’ve always believed in taking a personal approach to business, particularly when it comes to management and customer relationships.

So, when one of our biggest supporters in the web-community AskAndyAboutClothes.com asked to see us make a pair of shoes for him -- I jumped at the chance. When he asked to bring his young son along for the experience, I was doubly enthusiastic. Our guest, Gerard Toohey, who drove up from Chicago for the tour, turned out also to be an excellent writer as well as a big fan of our shoes. He chronicled his time in Port Washington better than we ever could have anticipated. If you’re at all interested in how shoes are made, I encourage you to click here to read Gerard’s terrific web journal.

Gerard seems to have struck a chord with a lot of people. Over 8500 people have logged-on to the “thread” and experienced Gerard’s photos and writing. For many Allen Edmonds customers, their shoes are highly personal and the reasons they purchased them are as varied as our many styles. They may wear AE shoes because the superior fit has a custom-made feel or because they remember how their dad or a trusted mentor may have unforgettably introduced them to AE. Wearing Allen Edmonds shoes may be a part of their professional image, or they may have a special pair that they bought for their wedding day and still enjoy after years of wear and a few recraftings. For some it’s just the value found in supporting a great American product with an authentic and rich American heritage.

That day with Gerard was a real business highlight for several of us here at the plant. We enjoyed having the two of them here as much or more than he and his son enjoyed the visit, I’m sure. Having only interacted with him via email before the visit, it was great to put a face, a life story and a name together. He’s a good man and now a friend. It may be business, but it’s definitely personal.

Best wishes,

Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

The Fourth of July

2009-07-01T09:04:00.025-05:00

The "Fourth of July” and “Made in the USA” are two weighty phrases for Americans. I’m a bit of a history fanatic, and in the past couple of years I’ve read some of the outstanding newer books about the founding of our country and its early years. Among the slow-moving pile on the nightstand, David McCullough’s John Adams and his 1776 have both offered fascinating revelations about how the United States of America came into being, guided often miraculously by Providence. In addition to the horrific wars fought, lives lost, twists of fate, sudden changes in weather and heroic feats that created our country and then, ever since, defended it, I find it also amazing to read of the learned debates, the personal perseverance and the incredible wisdom that were required to create a nation so well worth preserving.

American industrial achievement is also a huge factor in our history. Like so many of you, I’m stunned by the number of great U.S. manufacturing companies that no longer actually manufacture anything in the U.S. We all understand the cost advantages of low-wage countries, but we also know that there’s much more than low wages that go into being successful in business. Creativity, ingenuity, commitment to excellence, common employee dedication and, most important, listening and delivering what customers want and need are what drive success. That’s what we’re all about at Allen Edmonds today. While 90% of all shoes bought in America are imported, we still offer Made in the USA. We intend to continue earning our customers’ faith and support by delivering what they want and need – authenticity, superior value, long-lasting quality, diverse product offerings and excellent styling.

Don’t you sometimes wonder what Washington, Adams and Jefferson would think if they could see the USA now? I’m sure they’d be immensely proud of American successes over the 12 generations since those scorching summer debates in Philadelphia. They would indeed see the “shining city on a hill” that has done so much to advance humankind in that time frame, and they wouldn’t expect anything like perfection. But I think they’d look at our economy today and want to give us a good swift kick.

We feel that kick here at Allen Edmonds. We greatly appreciate the guidance and support of our customers, who are the whole reason we’re here. To them, our suppliers, our other business partners, our communities and our employees…Happy Fourth of July! and Thank You! for your dedication. We are so fortunate to live in this country.

Enjoy your 4th of July weekend!

Best wishes,

Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

Happy Father’s Day

2009-06-09T11:52:00.007-05:00

Father’s Day…those two words conjure up many thoughts, memories and emotions. More than any other, Father’s Day seems the perfect day for Allen Edmonds. Over the years, countless loyal customers have told us how their dads took them in their late teens or early twenties to a store and said, “Son, good shoes are important. A successful man needs to wear shoes that look good, fit right and are well made.” -- or something along those lines -- and then bought the son his first pair of Allen Edmonds. I just received an email a few days ago from the manager of our Madison Avenue store in New York City, passing along greetings from a customer. The customer was in the store with his retired father, and this time it was the son buying a pair of shoes for his dad.

The Allen Edmonds tradition passes from one generation to the next and, apparently, back again. With that in mind, we came up with some special gifts for Father’s Day. In addition to offering great shoes, belts and ties, we’ve put Father’s Day greetings on shoe trees and tie racks. We thought it’d be great for dads to see a “World’s Greatest Dad” or “Happy Father’s Day” message every morning and evening throughout the year -- not just one day in June. When you consider the cost of a paper greeting card, these everyday/twice-a-day greetings are an awfully good deal. Check them out on our website.

I wish I could say that my dad introduced me to Allen Edmonds shoes specifically, but he didn’t. Having battled alongside his parents through the Great Depression and served in WW II, he did teach me a lot about integrity, authenticity, working hard, quality, the value of money, faith and pride in America, and the importance of family. So, I think he actually did point me in Allen Edmonds’ direction all those years ago. (He also showed me how to drive a golf ball a long way and chunk a wedge …but that’s a fun story for another time.)

From our family to yours, Happy Father’s Day!

Best wishes,

Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

2009-04-28T13:43:00.017-05:00

Manufacturing shoes in the U.S. these days requires a special commitment, and great craftspeople. Today, we stopped production at our Wisconsin plant at 10:00…to celebrate 25 years of service from Darlene Barnes, who is retiring. We had cake and coffee, gave Darlene an inscribed watch and thanked her for her long career with Allen Edmonds.

A bit about Darlene. She works at a machine in our insole preparation area, applying the tape rib to the insoles that creates the foundation of the shoe. In the picture you can see Darlene’s hands at work. Similar to laying the cornerstone of a building, it’s onto this ribbing that we sew the welt, which then allows us to bring the shoe parts together on the last. Amazingly, in the past 25 years Darlene has missed a grand total of 2 days! That’s probably a company record. Darlene plans to spend time on her vegetable garden in retirement, so those skilled and careful hands will stay busy.

During the celebration, our marketing director asked me, “When was the last time you attended a retirement party for anyone?” Good question. In today’s society it’s rare to find 25 year tenured employees, and that got us to thinking about Darlene’s efforts at Allen Edmonds. In her years of sewing here, it is likely her hands helped create the foundation for 6.8 million shoes – possibly including the shoes you are wearing as you read this blog.

It was a nice feeling for our company to celebrate Darlene’s accomplishments and I suppose it was an even greater feeling for her. Darlene, from all of us at Allen Edmonds, thank you for your hard work, your dedication to quality and for being part of our family!

Best wishes,

Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

Introducing the Crosstown Collection

2009-04-01T13:59:00.001-05:00

When you’re one of the last manufacturers of any product in the U.S., it’s crucial not to miss major consumer preference developments in your marketplace. In the men’s footwear industry, that means rubber-bottom dress shoes that double as attractive casual shoes when a day on-the-road is done.

Introducing the CROSSTOWN COLLECTION - five new shoe styles that bring Allen Edmonds quality to a category of shoes that really needed a high quality product offering. Mike Rancourt, our head of Product Development, and his team designed these shoes to offer premium value to customers in every way. The sole is a durable rubber composite that’s extremely lightweight and yet office-ready (i.e. professional-looking). The insole has a newly-created cushion comfort system we call “Flex-Lite” which is designed for all day comfort. We use fine European calfskin for the leathers to give the shoes great looks, great wearability and great longevity. The styling is sleek and up-to-date. Other companies would charge much more for shoes of this quality, but we’ve brought them out at only $199. “Premium Value” in everything we do is one of our driving commitments at Allen Edmonds.

Consistent with their versatility and their unique Made in the USA manufacturing, we’ve named these shoes after famous places in American cities where people are active at work and at life after-work: New York’s Tribeca, Boston’s Back Bay, Washington’s Georgetown, Chicago’s Bucktown and San Francisco’s Embarcadero. Premium versatile shoes Made in the USA for $199? Believe it.

Best wishes,

Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

Allen Edmonds Recrafting

2009-03-01T15:44:00.001-06:00

If you haven’t yet seen the Recrafting video on this website, I encourage you to give it a look. Starring Jim Kass, our excellent Vice President of Manufacturing, the film clip shows the process we use to take broken down shoes and make them look practically new again.

It’s an amazing transformation…only possible because of the quality of construction and craftsmanship that went into the shoes the first time around. In today’s world of fast-deterioration/throw-away products, we at Allen Edmonds are proud to make shoes that take a long time to need any renovation work at all, and then are able to be made new again when they get there.

At Allen Edmonds, we believe your investment in our products should pay-off as promised over the long term. Wouldn’t it be great if your 401K had become your 801K instead of a 201K?

Best wishes,

Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

Timeless Classic

2009-02-01T10:25:00.005-06:00

Great American styling is one of Allen Edmonds’ strengths. If you’re like me, for longer than you can recall you’ve noticed Allen Edmonds shoes on important men in your life, highly successful men.

It struck me when I took over as CEO last fall that some of those great American Allen Edmonds styles were no longer available. Salespeople in our stores around the country let me know that many of our loyal customers were hoping to see those shoes re-introduced. I long ago noticed that most men stay with the same shoe styles, save maybe one experiment at a time, throughout their careers. So, in honor of thousands of illustrious Allen Edmonds Men, we decided to re-introduce the Timeless Classics. Andy, my first boss at The First National Bank of Chicago was a big fan of Allen Edmonds Fifth Avenues. Mike, a fellow trainee at the beginning of my working life, wore the Manchester practically every day (shoes should be rotated, Mike, I would learn later). Top executives I’ve had the honor to meet at corporations from coast-to-coast frequently have worn the McAllister. And I first noticed the Strands on the feet of some more-stylish dressers when I had a chance to work in Europe in the 1980s.

Given the difficult economy, we decided not only to bring back these four great shoe styles, we also decided to bring them back at a special “recession price” of $279. Sales have exceeded our highest expectations, so it’s clear we struck a chord. Thinking of all the Andys, Mikes, bosses, CEOs, COOs, CFOs, colleagues, customers and competitors I’ve known or run across in airports and conference rooms over the past 30 years, I’m not surprised.

Best wishes,

Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

A Note from CEO, Paul D. Grangaard

2009-01-01T14:24:00.005-06:00

An iconic American brand, an illustrious history, an outstanding reputation for quality, great employees and partners, countless devoted customers, highly regarded predecessors and, yes, still “Made in the USA” manufacturing … all of these called out to me several months ago when I considered the chance to become President & CEO of Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation. The gorgeous art and design of the products, and an interesting product development process, also enticed me. And, of course, I had been a loyal Allen Edmonds customer myself for years. After filling in as interim CEO starting in August, I committed to the company full time in October and, despite the economic headwinds, it has been a great move.

Founded in 1922, Allen Edmonds is a legendary American success story. Bert Allen took the company from its humble founding and turned it into a national leader in men’s shoes. For some 25 years beginning in the early 1980s, Milwaukee business and philanthropy icon John Stollenwerk owned and led this company with the kind of charisma, enthusiasm and effectiveness that – to quote a popular business book – brought Allen Edmonds from Good to Great. During John’s tenure, the company expanded many times over in revenues and influence. Allen Edmonds shoes are now sold throughout Europe and Japan, as well as in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. While over 90% of shoes sold in America today are produced off-shore, John stayed committed to USA manufacturing, bucking the trend in a way I greatly admire.

My team and I are completely dedicated today to building on this fabulous American story. This blog is the beginning of a re-introduction of Allen Edmonds’ once famous “Shoe Wrap,” in which we’ll discuss topics of interest to our customers. The “Shoe Wrap” is just one example of how we plan to use our website to build a dialog with the Allen Edmonds community. It’s also an example of our strategy to take great things from our past and make them relevant to today. I’m very much looking forward to your input and reactions to our work.

With best wishes,

Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation