Wolverine World Wide Introduces New Hiking, Outdoor Footwear Division

Business Wire, Oct 27, 1997

ROCKFORD, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 27, 1997--Wolverine World Wide Inc. (NYSE:WWW) today announced a new footwear division targeted at the fast growing hiking and rugged outdoor segments of the global footwear industry.

"The Wolverine Outdoor Footwear Division will maximize the global growth opportunities created by the recently announced acquisition of the Merrell branded footwear business and the worldwide extension of our Coleman footwear license," said Timothy J. O'Donovan, Wolverine World Wide President and Chief Operating Officer. "The new division will benefit from Wolverine World Wide's expertise in building international distribution and its global sourcing network."

The Wolverine Outdoor Footwear Division will be integrated into the Wolverine Footwear Group. Wolverine World Wide ranks as the world's largest marketer of branded work and outdoor shoes and boots with Wolverine work and sport footwear, Caterpillar footwear, Bates uniform footwear, Hy-Test safety and occupational footwear, Coleman and Merrell outdoor footwear.

"No other shoe company in the world can offer retailers the unbeatable offering of technical performance and competitive pricing values provided by the combination of the Merrell and Coleman footwear brands," said Dean Estes, Wolverine Footwear Group President. "Our strategy is to maintain the integrity of each brand while moving toward our goal of becoming a major factor in all levels of distribution for hiking and outdoor shoes, boots and sandals, the fastest growing segment of the footwear industry."

Jacques Lavertue, 43, former Vice President and General Manager for Merrell, was appointed president of the new division. His 20 years of sales and marketing management experience includes both the retail and wholesale sides of the business. Lavertue will report to Estes.

Casey Sheahan, 42, was named Vice President, Marketing for the new division. Prior to joining Merrell in 1994, he was Category Marketing Manager for Nike's Outdoor Division and editor of Powder, the skier's magazine.

Wolverine World Wide Inc. manufactures and markets a wide variety of branded footwear and performance leathers. Major branded products of the company include: Hush Puppies(R) shoes, slippers and accessories; Hush Puppies Homeware(TM) slippers; Wolverine(R) work, sport and rugged outdoor footwear, apparel and accessories; Wolverine DuraShocks(R) and DuraShocks(R) SR comfort technology; Caterpillar(R) footwear; Coleman(R) footwear; Hy-Test(R) work boots and shoes; Merrell(R) outdoor footwear; Bates(R) uniform footwear; Tru-Stitch(R) slippers; Sioux-Mox(R) moccasins; Wimzees(R) footwear; and Wolverine All Season Weather Leathers(TM).

CONTACT: Wolverine World Wide Inc., Rockford

Thomas Mundt, 616/866-5589

or

Seyferth & Associates Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich.

Jeffrey Lambert, 616/776-3511