Inside Falcon Footwear
Company News
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Falcon is exhibiting at the following trade shows:
The 2013 SME Annual Meeting & Exhibit
Denver, Colorado, February 24 - 27, 2013
Booth 646CIM Conference & Exhibition
Metro Toronto Convention Center, Toronto, Canada, May 5-8, 2013
Booth 2104World Mining Congress
Palais des Congres de Montreal, Montreal, Canada, August 11-15, 2013
Booth 815 -
Falcon Performance Footwear Wins 2011 Manufacturing Excellence Award
August 25, 2011AUBURN, ME - Falcon Performance Footwear was awarded the 2011 Manufacturing Excellence Award by the Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Maine MEP). The award is given each year to a Maine company that has demonstrated outstanding leadership, vision, and manufacturing excellence.
"We’re deeply honored to receive the Maine MEP 2011 Manufacturing Excellence Award," stated Falcon President Carl Spang. "Our company has a commitment to product innovation and is driven to produce the highest quality American-made footwear. We've succeeded with assistance from our many partners and the dedication of our 54-member workforce. I'm proud to accept this award on their behalf."
The award was presented by Senator Susan M. Collins, who is a strong supporter of the national Manufacturing Extension Partnership. "The Falcon Performance Footwear story illustrates the challenges facing manufacturers in our nation and our state. Its success demonstrates the ingenuity, energy, and determination that enable our manufacturers to meet those challenges," said Senator Collins.
Falcon has produced high-quality footwear for nearly 5 decades with its long-term success driven by innovation and utilization of Maine's economic development programs. Innovations that have propelled Falcon to success include: Manufacturing more flexible and lightweight firefighter boots, which provide unmatched protection; producing composite toe caps, which were previously only available from Chinese manufacturers; and constructing a facility designed for fast production of customized orders, which reduces inventory costs and improves throughput.
Maine MEP Chairman Bruce Pulkinen said, "Falcon Performance Footwear serves as a model for how Maine manufacturers can grow even in the toughest economic times. When Carl Spang assumed leadership of the company in 2007, he recognized that innovation and production efficiency were the keys to survival. Falcon took advantage of state resources to develop high value-added products that utilize advanced materials and meet the highest safety standards. Furthermore, by incorporating the principles of lean manufacturing into its plant layout, the firm achieved substantial cost savings and developed a production capacity with enormous flexibility and rapid ability to respond to customized orders."
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Falcon Introduces New 8-inch and 10-inch Industrial Boots
Falcon introduced two new boot styles at the National Safety Council Show in San Diego. Built on a running-shoe foot bed, the 8-inch and 10-inch industrial boots provide superior comfort, flexibility, and safety for people in construction, oil/gas, utilities, manufacturing... any work environment where safety is critical. The boots have puncture protection, are waterproof, and feature a fiberglass shank, composite toe cap and the Poron® flexible metatarsal guard. These boots are available in full and half sizes. Read more about our industrial boots or purchase them in our online store.
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Falcon Purchases New Manufacturing Site In Auburn, Maine
Falcon Performance Footwear will be moving from our location in the historic Roy Continental Mills to a building in the Auburn, ME industrial park. Although we are moving just six miles away, the Roy Continental Mill has been Falcon's home for over 40 years and we will miss the place. The new building will provide us with a better floor plan for manufacturing efficiencies and some room for expansion. Falcon will be moving in February, if the Maine winter weather cooperates.
Falcon History
Falcon has been manufacturing footwear in Maine since 1963. Starting with the manufacture of children's shoes, we shifted our focus to work boots in 1990. In 2007, we formed a strategic alliance with Globe Firefighter Suits to concentrate on the design and production of premium protective footwear for fire fighters. We introduced the Mining Boot in 2009, and will continue to develop footwear solutions for professionals who need the best in comfort and safety. Our people and our products make Falcon Performance Footwear a success.
Meet Our People
Neil Hanley, Owner
Neil has 21 years in the footwear industry with Falcon. A graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Neil has held a variety of positions at Falcon, including Industrial Engineer. Today, Neil manages Falcon's manufacturing, including the computerized cutting equipment we use for our leather and fabrics.
Roland Landry, Owner
Roland has over 30 years in the footwear industry, holding positions in sales, purchasing, and production. Today, Roland manages Falcon's Supply Chain when he isn't on the road at trade shows, with customers, or visiting our suppliers.
