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

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

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

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

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