Proceeds will go to Workshops for Warriors, which prepares veterans for manufacturing jobs.
In the spirit of Independence Day, bootmaker Wolverine is out with a new line of USA-built work boots that will also help veterans obtain careers in advanced manufacturing.
Now through July 5, 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of the limited-edition Wolverine Ramparts will benefit Workshops for Warriors. The nonprofit organization provides hands-on training and STEM education to military veterans so they can transition into careers in advanced manufacturing.
“We’re proud to offer a boot built for American workers by American workers,” said Andrew Shripka, vice president of marketing for Wolverine. “Having this made-in-America boot benefit an organization whose mission is to rebuild American manufacturing and support our veterans is a great way for Wolverine and our customers to say thank you to our veterans as they enter the next chapter of their careers.”
The Rockford, Mich.-based company is a global manufacturer of durable work boots, but continues to make many of its footwear styles in America where production began more than 135 years ago.
Debuting the Ramparts collection during Independence Day week is a nod to the hard-working American men and women that lace up their boots in the morning before heading off to a work day of physical labor. It is these makers and military veterans who have made it possible for America to celebrate its independence annually on the Fourth of July.
The Limited Edition Ramparts are made at a Wolverine facility in Tennessee. They are manufactured with Chicago’s Horween leather, which accounts for why the boots are durable yet so comfortable. Horween has been producing some of the world’s finest leather since 1905.
The Ramparts collection features boot heights of 6 inches, 8 inches and pull on footwear with styles available in three different colors. The Wolverine DuraShocks comfort system provides superior shock absorption and cushioning. The boots are waterproof and available in soft or safety toe.
The San Diego-based Workshops for Warriors has joined with many of America’s leading manufacturers to provide trained skilled labor across the nation. It offers programs in welding, machining and more advanced computer-aided aspects of manufacturing.
“It’s an honor to partner with Wolverine on this initiative,” said Hernan Luis y Prado, founder and CEO of Workshop for Warriors. “We commend Wolverine for their support of our program. Every day, Workshop for Warriors changes lives by training, certifying and placing veterans into advanced manufacturing careers.”
Mike Spivey is one of those veterans who has recently become part of the Wolverine team. A Workshops for Warriors student, Spivey is a wounded Marine Corps veteran and competitive Paralympic snowboarder. He is a machinist with Wolverine and serves as an ambassador in Wolverine’s Project Bootstrap program which showcases the plentiful and rewarding opportunities in advanced manufacturing careers.
“Our partnership with Workshop for Warriors to help veterans find jobs in the skilled trades is paramount to why we started Project Bootstrap in the first place, and we’re thrilled to have a champion for the trades like Mike Spivey joining Team Wolverine,” Shripka said.
The motto at Workshop for Warriors is “Rebuilding American manufacturing, one veteran at a time.” With partners like Wolverine and other major U.S. manufacturers, the skills gap for advanced manufacturing will continue to evaporate while providing well-paying, worker-friendly jobs for America’s veterans.
Now that is something truly American to celebrate on July 4th.
The Limited-Edition Ramparts boots are available online and at Work ‘N Gear retail stores. While its commitment to donate 100 percent of the proceeds from the Ramparts ends Friday, Wolverine will continue to donate 5 percent of all Ramparts sales to Workshops for Warriors from July 6 through the end of 2019.