Footwear Industry’s Highest Honor Recognizes Company’s Transformation and Resurgence

Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE: WWW), one of the world’s leading designers, marketers, and licensors of footwear and apparel, has been named 2025 Company of the Year by Footwear News and will be recognized at the Footwear News Achievement Awards (FNAA) on Wednesday, December 3, in New York City.

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Receiving the industry’s top honor comes just two years after Wolverine Worldwide launched a comprehensive strategy to transform the Company.

“Being named Company of the Year by Footwear News is a testament to the innovation, drive, and resilience of our global team of brand builders,” said Chris Hufnagel, President and CEO of Wolverine Worldwide. “Two years ago, we set a new vision and bold plan to transform our Company – premised on creating awesome products and telling amazing stories. Working together, our team is building a new Wolverine Worldwide from the ground up, and we’re incredibly proud to see the world taking notice.”

Footwear News editors selected Wolverine Worldwide as Company of the Year for its transformative efforts that reignited its brand portfolio with industry-leading product innovations such as Merrell’s SpeedARC Surge BOA winning TIME’s Best Inventions of 2024 and Saucony being named to Fast Company’s Next Big Things in Wellness and Fitness Technology 2025 list, and dynamic partnerships with collaborators and partners like Jae Tips, Westside Gunn, Minted New York, Waffle House, University of Michigan, Lonely Ghost, Gramicci, Jordan Davis, Snow Peak, and Fishwife that have fueled cultural resonance with our consumers around the world.

“During an intense and challenging period for the industry, it’s no easy feat to transform a company. Wolverine Worldwide has reemerged as a formidable player, thanks to a new, more-focused brand-building model that is paying off,” said Footwear News executive editor Katie Abel in the outlet’s announcement of the Company’s win.

For nearly four decades the FNAAs – often called the “Shoe Oscars” – have celebrated the footwear industry’s major style stars, best brands and brand stories, philanthropists, emerging talents, and industry veterans. Honorees hail from all corners of the industry – from athletic sneakers to hiking boots to running shoes to luxury heels – who demonstrate the ability to shape culture through footwear and a willingness to break down barriers for their customers and the greater good.

Being named Company of the Year is the culmination of an award-winning year for Wolverine Worldwide. In 2025, the Company was recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Dream Employers, America’s Best Employers for Women, and America’s Best Employers for Company Culture, and by Inspiring Workplaces as one of the Most Inspiring Workplaces in North America. The Company also received its first Great Place To Work® Certification™ – underscoring its commitment to prioritizing employee experience and cultivating a strong company culture.

ABOUT WOLVERINE WORLDWIDE

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 portfolio 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. Wolverine Worldwide is a Great Place To Work® Certified™ company. For additional information, please visit our website, www.wolverineworldwide.com.

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