Red Wing’s vertically integrated supply chain gives the company a significant amount of control over its entire manufacturing process because it doesn’t have to rely on as many outside vendors or suppliers to provide significant inputs into the process. Although vertical integration results in a higher level of complexity, it enables us the ability to better control our quality, cost and ultimate service to our customers.” All Together Dave Magness, Senior VP of Supply Chain says that, “Our vertical integration is a competitive advantage for the company. The levels of control and the collaborative culture that integration creates give Red Wing a significant advantage over many of its competitors and is one of the primary reasons why the company continues to enjoy success today. In addition to its footwear factories in Minnesota and Missouri, Red Wing has long-term footwear manufacturing partners in China, Vietnam, Cambodia and the Dominican Republic workwear partners in China, Mexico and Pakistan and distribution centers throughout the United States, the North Sea, Dubai, Asia and Europe.Įven though the company’s operations are spread around the globe, Red Wing maintains a firm grip on its supply chain thanks to the company’s vertical integration. Having a large portion of its manufacturing in the United States, the company has a global reach with a presence in 110 countries. Red Wing’s workwear can be found protecting oil & gas workers on rigs across the globe. Red Wing boots are in service around the world on factory floors, construction sites, railroads, farm fields, refineries, oil rigs, receiving and shipping docks, as well as hunting, hiking and trail running sites. “We are vertically integrated throughout the entire supply chain from beginning to end.”Ĭelebrating its 110th anniversary this year, Red Wing is a family owned, private company in the business of crafting purpose built footwear and workwear for specific applications. We source raw material cattle hides which are tanned in our owned tannery, followed by shoe manufacturing in our plants, with finished goods shipped to our owned retail stores and mobile shoe trucks for sale to our many consumers in the United States and around the world,” Rothering says.
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“I would say one of our largest strengths is that we have nearly full integration of everything we do in the company. As Director of Logistics Dewey Rothering explains, Red Wing’s vertically integrated supply chain makes it unique not only in the footwear industry, but in the manufacturing sector as a whole. That’s not as much of a concern for Red Wing Shoe Company, however, as the company’s integrated supply chain maintains tight control over virtually every stage of production. Many manufacturers must depend on the strength of numerous vendors throughout their supply chains to ensure the entire operation is strong. A supply chain, like any other kind of chain, is only as strong as its weakest link.