The CEO of a leading footwear manufacturer stressed the importance of American manufacturing and investing in technology during his keynote address Monday morning at the DCU Center before a breakfast meeting of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce."This is something we believe in deeply," New Balance CEO Robert DeMartini told about 300 attendees. "What we want people to know is they are standing in something that stands for something."new balance factory outlet norway


Technology has been an important part of the transition to being a global athletic company, he said. Manufacturing advancements such as 3-D printing have allowed for customized products without the need for mass-production through a molding process. For example, New Balance has been creating custom track shoes for middle- and long-distance runner Kim Conley for the last four years, said DeMartini.new balance factory store norway

"Kim runs in 3D printed spikes we make in Lawrence," he said. "We completely avoid the molding process in making batches of products, hundreds and thousands at a time. We can print one pair of shoes.Expanded sales have followed. With a projected $3.3 billion in sales for 2014 and $5 billion by 2018, New Balance will be able to distance itself from other brands and play on the same field as heavy hitters Adidas and Nike, said DeMartini.new balance 574 norge


The CEO's keynote address kicked off the two-day conference, a collaboration between the chamber and the Build Northeast Conference 2014. The two-day event includes attendees from Virginia to Maine along with exhibits and multiple discussion sessions.