Red Wing Shoes Unveils "Trades-Made" Initiative: Honoring Skilled Trade Workers and Fostering Solidarity Across Brands

To Celebrate the True Meaning of Labor Day, Red Wing Will Illuminate Iconic Buildings Across the Country with the Names of Trade Workers

RED WING, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Red Wing Shoes, a brand synonymous with quality craftsmanship, is proud to announce the launch of its pioneering "Trades-Made" campaign. Though Red Wing Shoes has created comfortable, specialized shoes for trade workers since 1905, this initiative is not about footwear at all; it's a movement dedicated to celebrating and supporting the skilled trade workers who build, create, and shape our world. The brand is unveiling this campaign on Labor Day, a day that began as a moment to celebrate workers but over the course of time has lost its meaning in a mix of over-the-top discounts and sales; this initiative will aim to remind brands and consumers of the true meaning of Labor Day.

In an era where skilled trades often go unnoticed, Red Wing Shoes is on a mission to shine a spotlight on the invaluable contributions of trade workers. The “Trades-Made” campaign is a call to action, inviting brands from various sectors to unite in recognizing the importance of the skilled trades and their impact on society.

Red Wing Shoes is leading the way by incorporating the “Trades-Made” badge into its logo. This emblem symbolizes a brand’s commitment to honoring and supporting skilled trade workers and is an invitation for brands to join the movement by adding the “Trades-Made” badge to their logos; this visible support fosters a sense of unity among diverse industries. Over 15 brands have already committed to the cause and Red Wing hopes to welcome more into the fold over the next week. To keep the focus on the skilled trades and not Red Wing, the brand has fully open sourced the campaign; any brand that opts to participate will receive custom ads, films, social posts and more created by the Red Wing team.

As an additional element of the campaign, Red Wing Shoes will illuminate iconic local buildings in cities across the country with the names of real trade workers. These buildings stand as powerful symbols of the trades’ impact on urban landscapes. Locals and visitors in Brooklyn, Dallas and Los Angeles can visit the Brooklyn Bridge, LA City Hall and the Dallas Magnolia, Kirby, and Mercantile Bank on September 2 to watch these men and women being honored and celebrated.

“Trades workers are the backbone of our communities, building and maintaining the world around us,” said Dave Schneider, Chief Marketing Officer at Red Wing Shoe Company. “Through the ‘Trades-Made’ campaign, we want to ensure that their contributions are acknowledged and celebrated. We encourage brands to stand with us in showing gratitude for those who work tirelessly to keep our world moving forward.”

Red Wing Shoes has a storied history of crafting durable footwear for tradespeople since 1905. The "Trades-Made" campaign aligns with the brand's core values of integrity, craftsmanship, and a commitment to those who work with their hands to create something lasting.

Those interested in participating or learning more about the initiative can visit trades-made.com for additional information.

About Red Wing Shoe Company

Red Wing Shoe Company Inc. is a global leader in the design, production and distribution of work, safety and lifestyle footwear and work apparel. Established in 1905 in Red Wing, Minnesota, the privately held company’s family of brands includes the premium choice for purpose-built work footwear, workwear and accessories. Its brands are distributed to more than 110 countries in an immersive multichannel environment of 500+ Red Wing retail stores, third-party partners and owned e-commerce platforms. Red Wing Shoe Company employs more than 2,000 employees worldwide and operates two U.S. manufacturing facilities in Red Wing, Minnesota and Potosi, Missouri. For more information, please visit redwingshoes.com or follow @RedWingShoes.