Wolverine Worldwide Named 'Company Of The Year,' Receives Five 2013 Plus Awards

NEW YORK, Feb. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Wolverine Worldwide (NYSE: WWW) and its brands have been honored with five Plus Awards, including Company of the Year, a high-profile distinction conferred annually by retailers nationwide. The awards were announced at an event hosted by the Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY) and the footwear trade publication, Footwear Plus.

Footwear Plus launched the Plus Awards for Excellence in Design 15 years ago and each year features awards in a variety of different categories. The Plus Awards are unique because they are voted on by thousands of U.S. retailers, including department stores, outdoor specialty stores and independent retailers.

This year, Wolverine Worldwide received top accolades in the following key categories:

• Wolverine Worldwide, Company of the Year – Wolverine Worldwide was also named Company of the Year at the 2011 and 2012 Plus awards, making this its third consecutive win. Wolverine Worldwide is the parent Company of 16 dynamic lifestyle brands that market footwear, apparel and accessories in every corner of the world. With an industry-leading portfolio of brands, including brands such as Merrell, Sperry Top-Sider, Saucony, Cat Footwear and Sebago, the Company has more than 1,000 years of combined brand equity and is committed to developing, marketing and distributing products that bring style to purpose and consistently exceed consumer expectations. Through a strong global network of partners, the Company annually markets approximately 100 million units of footwear, apparel and accessories around the world, with sales approaching $3.0 billion. The Company also owns and operates over 460 stores and 60 websites globally through its consumer direct operations.
• Sperry Top-Sider, Brand of the Year – Sperry Top-Sider has been a footwear leader and icon of American style since Paul Sperry invented the world's first boat shoe in 1935. As the brand's momentum and leadership in boat shoes has grown, Sperry has successfully expanded into new classifications designed specifically for all wearing occasions in, on and around the water. In addition to the brand's high-performance technical product, Sperry Top-Sider is also the leading casual footwear company in the U.S. for Men's and #2 for Women's, according to recent NPD data; evolving into a global performance and lifestyle choice for those who share the brand's "Passion for the Sea."
• Wolverine, Work Boots – The Company's Wolverine brand has been honored in the Work category an unprecedented 14 times in the 15 years the Plus Awards have been given. Wolverine first introduced its comfort technology in 1992 with exclusive, patented innovations such as Wolverine DuraShocks®. Wolverine has since built on this tradition with a long line of proprietary comfort systems that include Wolverine DuraShocks SR®, Wolverine Fusion®, Wolverine MultiShox®, Wolverine Contour Welt® and its most recent introduction, Wolverine ICS®. Since its inception in 1883, Wolverine has designed and built innovative products and continues to lead the U.S. work/utility market.
• Keds, Athletic Lifestyle – In 1916, Keds redefined footwear with the introduction of the Champion sneaker. The simple and chic design ignited a style revolution, capturing the hearts of girls everywhere from fashion icons to the girl next door. Today, Keds is breaking out internationally as the sweetest, boldest, sneaker on earth, helping a new generation of brave girls step out and shine. This spring, Keds is launching its new campaign "Million Brave Acts", starring teen icon Taylor Swift. The campaign builds on Keds' partnership with Taylor Swift, and introduces the Keds Brave Life Project, a pioneering new program that will encourage girls to take positive risks, develop practical skills and build supportive networks.
• Merrell, Outdoor – Merrell is an outdoor brand that empowers people to challenge themselves in the great outside. The brand's mission is to inspire people to "Achieve. Never Settle. Hit the Trail. OUT. PERFORM." Merrell is for seekers of outside challenges, personal firsts and those who seize the outside today–not this weekend. Built on a proud history and a led by a passionate team comprised of outdoor enthusiasts, gear testers and people inspired to achieve outside — Merrell shoe, clothes, and accessories are high quality and built to be used on the trail — right out of the box or off the hanger.

"We are very proud to receive the Footwear Plus Company of the Year Award for the third year in a row," commented Blake Krueger, Wolverine Worldwide Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.  "This recognition and the other Plus awards for our brands are extra special to us because they are voted on by our numerous retail partners across the United States.  Delivering our very best to those partners and creating powerful brand experiences with our consumers is something to which our entire team is dedicated every single day."

Greg Dutter, Editorial Director of Footwear Plus magazine also commented, "Congratulations to Wolverine Worldwide for again being recognized by an influential list of retailers.  By receiving an impressive five Plus Awards for 2013, Wolverine Worldwide has certainly cemented its status as a leader in the footwear industry."

With a commitment to service and product excellence, Wolverine World Wide, Inc. is one of the world's leading marketers of branded casual, active lifestyle, work, outdoor sport, athletic, children's and uniform footwear and apparel.  The Company's portfolio of highly recognized brands includes: Merrell®, Sperry Top-Sider®, Hush Puppies®, Saucony®, Wolverine®, Keds®, Stride Rite®, Sebago®, Cushe®, Chaco®, Bates®, HYTEST®, and Soft Style®.  The Company also is the global footwear licensee of popular brands including Cat®, Harley-Davidson® and Patagonia®. The Company's products are carried by leading retailers in the U.S. and globally in approximately 200 countries and territories. For additional information, please visit our website, www.wolverineworldwide.com.

SOURCE Wolverine World Wide, Inc.