Bates Awarded Contract to Manufacture USMC Hot and Temperate Weather Boots

Rockford, MI (January 2009) – Bates® Footwear (Bates), a division of Wolverine World Wide, Inc. was awarded a contract totaling over $11 million for the manufacturing of Hot and Temperate Weather Combat Boots for the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC). Bates Temperate Weather Boots have already begun shipping to combat regions in support of ongoing military operations.

The DSCP (Defense Supply Center in Philadelphia) awarded Bates a one year contract to manufacture up to 91,500 pair of Temperate Weather Combat Boots and 76,000 pair of Hot Weather Combat Boots with four optional one-year contract renewals. Bates developed the USMC Hot and Temperate Weather Combat Boots to perform in a wide range of environments including those found in urban, desert, wooded and jungle areas. The USMC Hot and Temperate Weather Combat boots feature WWW’s proprietary Wolverine Warrior Leather® providing superior breathability and quicker dry-time together with direct attach construction offering superior cushioning and durability.

The contract was awarded following an industry wide, extensive 90-day Field User Evaluation (FUE) performed at “The Crossroads of the Corps” in Quantico, VA by the USMC. The FUE was used to assess the performance of the boots’ durability, breathability, and overall functionality in an operational environment. The FUE results were the most important factor in selecting the awardees in the final phase of this contract. The superior performance of the Bates boots in the field contributed to Bates winning a majority of the contract.

“Bates is honored to have participated in this industry wide evaluation of combat boots for the United States Marine Corps. To have been selected as the top performing footwear through a vigorous field user evaluation by the Marines themselves is a testament to the superior design and functionality of our footwear. We look forward to providing the Marine Corps with the best boots America can build.” said Ron Woznick, Vice President and General Manager of Bates Footwear.

The USMC Hot and Temperate Weather Combat Boots are manufactured with 100% domestic materials, maintaining the company’s commitment to manufacturing in the United States. As a brand in the Wolverine World Wide, Inc. portfolio, Bates utilized its own technologies and additionally integrated the technological advances of the Wolverine® brand to develop the Hot and Temperate Weather Combat Boots for the USMC.

Bates is a leading supplier of uniform footwear to all branches of the U.S. military and has been building a reputation for uncompromising performance in uniform footwear for more than 120 years. Engineering advancements such as Bates DuraShocks® comfort system, Ultra-Lites® technology and Bates Individual Comfort System combine to set the brand apart and cement its status as the gold standard in uniform footwear. For more information and to view our product line, visit http://www.batesfootwear.com./