Saucony
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1898, Kutztown, Pennsylvania |
| Headquarters | Lexington, Massachusetts, United States |
| Industry | Sportswear and Sports Goods |
| Products | Footwear Accessories Sportswear |
| Parent | Stride Rite Corporation |
| Website | www.saucony.com |
Saucony (pronounced /sɔːˈkɒni/[1]) is an American manufacturer of athletic shoes, best-known today for its award-winning[2] premium running shoes. It is also the name of a Division 3 BUDA Summer club team.
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[edit] History
The company's first factory was founded in 1898 at Kutztown, Pennsylvania, on the banks of the Saucony Creek.[2] In 1910, Russian immigrant Abraham Hyde started a shoe company in Cambridge, Massachusetts called Hyde Athletic Industries. Over the years, Hyde became known for high-quality and technologically-innovative footwear including brands such as SpotBilt and PF Flyers; Hyde Athletic Industries bought Saucony in the late 1960s, and moved it to Cambridge. By the late 90's, when Saucony became Hyde's dominant brand, the name of the company was officially changed from Hyde Athletic Industries to Saucony[3].
In June 2005, the Stride Rite Corporation (maker of Keds, Sperry Top-Sider and other brands) announced an agreement to acquire Saucony. Both companies are based in the greater Boston, Massachusetts area: Stride Rite in Lexington, and, Saucony in Peabody. Stride Rite was acquired by Payless ShoeSource in autumn 2007.
Saucony's shoe boxes once had the phrase "sock a knee" printed on them.[citation needed] The Saucony brand represents the Saucony Creek's constant flow, and the boulders lining its creek bed.[2]
The company is also a popular racing shoe producer, making high-quality track spikes and cross country racing flats. Saucony also makes shoes for specific track and field athletics events.[citation needed]
[edit] Footwear technology
Like all other running shoe manufacturers, Saucony use a great deal of technology to enhance the performance of their footwear. The cushioning system of choice for Saucony is 'Grid', a web like structure that spans the breadth of the sole and flexes with every stride to cushion each step. 'Grid' has been used as their main cushioning system for over 15 years now. Other technologies used are 'Flexion Plate', 'Arch-Lock' and the new 'Comfortemp', which is a technological breakthrough in footwear fabric. It reads the temperature of your skin and oppositely reacts so you stay cooler when it's hot and warmer when it's cold. All these technologies are evident in the flagship shoe 'Progrid Paramount'.[citation needed]
[edit] References
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This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (February 2009) |
- ^ Runner's World. 43 (3 ed.). Rodale, Inc. March 2008. p. 99. http://books.google.com.au/books?id=O8gDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA99&lpg=PA99&dq=%22saw-kah-nee%22&source=bl&ots=ujHMvoPfF6&sig=civcddEUWr0zGNagwxAnCsYA57I&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=5&ct=result.
- ^ a b c "History | Saucony Company". The Stride Rite Corporation. http://www.saucony.com/general_company.aspx?pid=39&tid=6. Retrieved on February 4, 2009.
- ^ http://www.answers.com/topic/saucony-inc
