Breadcrumb

Ambassador Kirk Travels to Maine, Meets with Workers at New Balance Factory

Last Thursday, Ambassador Ron Kirk traveled to the Norridgewock, Maine factory of U.S. athletic footwear manufacturer New Balance. Ambassador Kirk, who was joined by the company’s President and CEO Rob DeMartini and Congressman Mike Michaud (ME-2), toured the facility and met with New Balance workers to discuss the footwear industry and the company’s footwear production techniques. After the tour, Ambassador Kirk took questions from workers on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement.

Ambassador Kirk speaks with a New Balance workerAmbassador Kirk speaks with a New Balance worker in
Norridgewock, ME

"I want to thank the people at New Balance for giving me the opportunity to visit their Norridgewock factory, and for their willingness to engage with USTR as we negotiate the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement,” said Ambassador Kirk.

Ambassador Kirk poses for a photoAmbassador Kirk poses for a photo with Congressman
Mike Michaud (ME-2), Factory Manager Raye Wentworth,
and New Balance CEO Rob DeMartini

New Balance President and CEO Rob DeMartini was pleased that Ambassador Kirk made the trip to Norridgewock. “We are encouraged by the Ambassador’s visit and by his openness to hearing our perspective on this crucial matter of public policy, manufacturing and American jobs,” he commented.