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New Balance stands for something bigger than sneakers as we champion those who are fearlessly driven by their passions. We elevate sport and we do right by people and the planet. Our job is to aid athletes in their pursuits, whether that means helping professional athletes set records and win medals, or propelling everyday athletes to achieve a new PR, run their first 5K or just to live a more healthy and active lifestyle. New Balance has been rooted in innovation since William Riley, a young English immigrant, designed his first flexible arch insert in 1906. That innovation and entrepreneurial spirit continues to drive the business with quality, craftsmanship and some risk-taking.

Can you share with everyone a little about your company and commitment to the dealer/retailer network?

New Balance was recognized as the recipient of “Athletic Brand of the Year” in 2020, which was a proud accomplishment for our 115 years in business as an athletic brand. In 2016, we reinvigorated our team business to meet the needs of clubs, travel teams and institutions as an authentic performance brand committed to the team dealer, athlete, coach and fan base. We’ve successfully launched our team sports platform, HYPERLINK “http://www. newbalanceteam.com” www.newbalanceteam.com, featuring premium custom products including uniforms, training apparel, and footwear for baseball, fastpitch, basketball, football, soccer, lacrosse, and track and field.

How have you adapted in the past yearand-a-half from COVID?

Our objective was to educate our customers around industry-wide inventory disruptions, shipping concerns and global supply issues while continuously improving service levels and fulfilling team orders as quickly as possible. We adapted to collaborative video calls, overcommunicating with our partners, leading to increased brand loyalty with our customers. Our commitment to quick-turn custom uniforms allowed us to meet marketplace needs despite uncertainty. Being a $5B private company allowed us larger investments in practice apparel categories giving dealers an alternative when brands were unable to deliver. NBTeam is proud to have 30+ salespeople focused on driving dealer business through difficult times by increasing outreach and closure to ensure success in 2021!

What are some of the new/innovative products everyone should know about?

NB Hoops is made for the fearlessly independent player who wants to rewrite the rules.

Our TWO WXY footwear is built for the position-less style of play. Hyperengineered for speed and agility at both ends of the court, it’s a performance shoe packed with tech for that explosive moment when you switch from offense to defense and back. Our sublimated basketball uniform features a reversible design with customized color, number, and logo in men/women/ youth sizes delivered in 2 weeks. Adjustable shorts lengths and silicone waist bands keep athletes focused on their game.

What are you looking forward to about this year’s Management Conference?

We know team dealers are a vital segment of our business, and it is important that we continue to build a strong relationship with NSGA. We also recognize the value of NSGA affiliates and look forward to expanding our connections within the industry.