- A $9 million, three-year project to renovate and expand West Michigan headquarters
- Rockford campus being reimagined with new workspaces to foster collaboration and innovation while centralizing core business operations
The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), announced that Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE: WWW) is investing more than $9 million over three years to renovate and expand its global headquarters located in Rockford, Michigan. This is part of a strategic effort to create world-class facilities, centralize core business operations, and invest in the local economy.
The MEDC supports the project with a $1 million Michigan Business Development Program grant.
The project is anticipated to bring more than 100 highly skilled footwear marketing, design and development, innovation, and sales jobs to West Michigan – a region not typically known for footwear and apparel operations — including positions being relocated to Rockford from out-of-state locations.
Most of the work will involve office modernization and the development of creative hubs, research labs, and collaborative spaces. The three-year project will focus on different areas of its Rockford campus. The first area, completed in May 2025, included a renovation of 40,000-square-feet of office space that is now home to WWW’s Merrell and Saucony brands, with the latter recently being relocated to Rockford from the Boston area.
Receiving support from The Right Place and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation will allow us to create amazing workspaces at our Rockford headquarters to spur innovation and attract top-tier, global talent to West Michigan,” said Chris Hufnagel, President and CEO of Wolverine Worldwide. “We are extremely proud of our West Michigan roots and look forward to cementing our presence in the community with this multimillion-dollar investment.”
Founded in 1883, WWW is one of the world’s leading designers, marketers, and licensors of branded casual footwear and apparel, performance outdoor and athletic footwear and apparel, kids’ footwear, industrial work boots and apparel, and uniform footwear. The Company’s products are carried by leading retailers in the U.S. and globally in approximately 170 countries and territories.
The Right Place worked closely with the MEDC to ensure the company’s continued growth in the region. They offered support by effectively organizing state and local resources, including the Michigan Business Development Program Incentive.
“I am excited that Wolverine Worldwide is showing its confidence in the Grand Rapids area with this expansion,” said Eric Icard, Senior Director of Business Development at The Right Place. “While the company operates on a global scale, Rockford has been its home for over 140 years. This investment in its corporate headquarters reflects our region’s capacity to attract and retain top-level talent.”
About The Right Place, Inc.
The Right Place, Inc., is a regional nonprofit founded in 1985 with the mission to drive sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity for all in the Greater Grand Rapids Region. The Right Place works to achieve this mission by focusing on three core areas: People, Place, and Prosperity. The Right Place is an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) as designated by The International Economic Development Council. Find out more by visiting rightplace.org, liking on Facebook, and following on LinkedIn and Instagram.
About Wolverine World Wide
Founded in 1883, Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE:WWW) is one of the world’s leading designers, marketers and licensors of branded casual footwear and apparel, performance outdoor and athletic footwear and apparel, kids’ footwear, industrial work boots and apparel, and uniform footwear. The Company’s diverse portfolio of highly recognized brands includes Merrell®, Saucony®, Sweaty Betty®, Hush Puppies®, Wolverine®, Chaco®, Bates®, HYTEST®, and Stride Rite®. Wolverine Worldwide is also the global footwear licensee of the popular brands Cat® and Harley-Davidson®. Based in Rockford, Michigan, for more than 140 years, the Company’s products are carried by leading retailers in the U.S. and globally in approximately 170 countries and territories. For additional information, please visit our website, www.wolverineworldwide.com.
Contact:
Craig Clark
(616) 550-2736
craig@clarkcommunication.com
