Keen Inc. is marking its fifth record-breaking year with two moves to support the growth of its Keen Utility footwear category.
The Portland, Ore.-based company’s investment in a dedicated Keen Utility office building and category-specific warehouse facilities will allow the division to keep pace with increasing demand while providing enhanced service for its industrial and service retail partners.
“Keen Utility has proven to be a top performer not only in its category but within our brand,” said Steve Meineke, president of Keen. “We will continue to build on this momentum by investing in the Keen Utility business model and leadership team, the first step of this being an expansion into new office spaces.”
Located in Portland’s Pearl District, the new 4,500-sq.-ft. office is within walking distance of Keen’s global headquarters and within a bike ride of its Portland factory. The design aesthetic for the office builds on Keen’s dedication to repurposing with a purpose. The space features a floor made from OSV exterior plywood and a custom conference table using scrap iron beams and reclaimed wood.
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The division’s new home will allow for future additions to the Utility team, which continues to grow since the category launched in 2010, as well as allow the sales, marketing and customer-service teams to better serve business partners.
In a second move, the division has established a dedicated warehouse and shipping hub in Louisville, Ky., which will allow for closer delivery nationwide to better meet at-once business demands.
