Weinbrenner Shoe

The Weinbrenner Shoe Company: A Legacy of Quality and Innovation

The Weinbrenner Shoe Company has been a leading name in the footwear industry for over 125 years, dedicated to providing high-quality, job-fitted footwear for a variety of industries and occupations. Founded in 1892 by Albert Weinbrenner and his partner Joseph Pfeifer, the company began as a small cobblery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, specializing in boots and shoes for the jobbing trades. From the very beginning, Weinbrenner and Pfeifer were committed to crafting footwear that was designed for both comfort and performance, a commitment that has remained at the core of the company's mission for over a century.

Thorogood: Job-Fitted Footwear for Specific Occupations

In 1917, the Thorogood brand was introduced, offering work boot styles designed to meet the specific needs of various occupations. From miners and quarry workers to farmers, railroad workers, foundry workers, and oil well drillers, Thorogood boots were crafted to provide the support, durability, and protection that workers needed to get the job done. This focus on job-fitted footwear has been a hallmark of the Weinbrenner Shoe Company ever since, with the company continually innovating and improving its designs to meet the ever-changing needs of workers in a variety of industries.

Expansion and Modernization: A Commitment to Domestic Production

In the 1930s, the Weinbrenner Shoe Company expanded its operations to include factories in Marshfield and Merrill, Wisconsin, in an effort to reduce overcrowding in its Milwaukee facilities and bring back some of the industry lost during the Great Depression. Throughout the decades, the company has continued to invest in its domestic production facilities, committed to manufacturing high-quality work boots in the USA. This commitment was particularly evident in 1992, when the company marked its 100th year in business by beginning a series of building improvements in its Wisconsin plants.

Employee Ownership and a Renewed Focus on Job-Fitted Footwear

In 2000, the Weinbrenner Shoe Company took a major step towards securing its future as an employee-owned company, transitioning to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). With this new structure, every employee became a stakeholder in the company's success, further strengthening the company's commitment to job-fitted footwear and the importance of form, function, and fit. Under this new model, Thorogood became the leading footwear brand in its markets, with a renewed focus on crafting boots that combine quality, value, and durability.

A History of Success, a Future of Innovation

Today, the Weinbrenner Shoe Company is proud to continue its legacy of quality and innovation, having recently celebrated 125 years of history in 2017. The company remains committed to manufacturing job-fitted boots that combine quality and value, and continues to invest in domestic production, improving facilities, equipment, and manufacturing in the USA. With a strong and focused working relationship between corporate and manufacturing, Weinbrenner and the Thorogood brand are well-positioned to continue their success far into the future.