Betty Dillard
Fort Worth-based Justin Brands Inc. has purchased Highland Shoe Company LLC, an American-made footwear manufacturer located in Brewer, Maine. The acquisition is the boot maker’s fourth U.S. factory. Justin Brands, a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary since 2000 and manufacturer of Western footwear, made the announcement May 9. The company will continue to employ all staff members at Highland Shoe Co. and maintain the facility’s current production levels of more than 400 pairs of hand-sewn shoes each week. “The success of our brands is a result of a rich history and our progressive approach to the future,” said Randy Watson, Justin Brand’s CEO and chairman. “As a Berkshire Hathaway corporation we are always open to acquisitions and opportunities. Planting new roots in a market distinctively rich in America’s footwear heritage aligns with our ongoing commitment to domestic manufacturing.” Justin Brands has manufacturing facilities in Cassville and Carthage, Mo., and El Paso, Texas.