DANNER NAMED PORTLAND BUSINESS JOURNAL’S 2026 MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR

Portland, Ore. – Danner, the Portland-based heritage boot brand known for crafting durable performance-driven footwear, is proud to announce its Portland factory has been named the Portland Business Journal’s 2026 Manufacturer of the Year. The award recognizes Danner’s commitment to domestic manufacturing, operational excellence and a culture of continuous improvement that has strengthened production performance while preserving skilled manufacturing jobs in Portland.

Operating across more than 50,000 square feet of production space, Danner’s Portland factory pairs modern manufacturing innovation with the hands-on, bootmaking craftsmanship that has been a pillar of the brand since 1932. By investing in its people, standardized processes and leadership accountability, Danner has demonstrated how American manufacturing can remain competitive and resilient for nearly a century while producing premium footwear stateside.

“When it comes to performance-driven footwear, quality is measured in millimeters,” says Chris Perrotti, Director of Manufacturing & Engineering at Danner. “We’re humbled that Portland Business Journal recognizes both the modern, technological advancements and the humanity that goes into every Danner boot. Our commitment to crafting quality, dependable boots and supporting the expert bootmakers behind them has never wavered.”

Danner’s commitment to continuous improvement is integral to the success of the Portland factory. Built on Lean manufacturing principles and supported by Six Sigma methodologies, Kaizen events and a structured Factory Management System, the PDX team has improved factory efficiency—calculated by dividing output (boots) by labor hours—by 18% over the past four years with figures now exceeding 85%. By prioritizing accountability, cross-functional teamwork and disciplined quality assurance, Danner has established a culture of continuous improvement that reflects a pride in their craft at every step of the process.

Just as important as the processes behind the factory’s performance are the people who sustain them. The Portland factory is home to generations of bootmaking expertise and craftsmanship, marked by long employee tenure and anniversary milestones extending to five decades. The synergy of cross-functional teams, including Human Resources, Quality, Materials, Planning, Maintenance, Engineering, IT and Production Leadership, reflect the stability, pride and commitment to quality that goes into every stitch.

The Portland Business Journal’s Makers & Manufacturers Awards recognize manufacturing companies across Oregon and Southwest Washington that strengthen the regional economy through innovation, strategic evolution and outstanding manufacturing practices. For Danner, the award is both a celebration of the Portland factory team and a reflection of the company’s enduring commitment to American manufacturing. By pairing skilled craftsmanship with a disciplined approach to operational excellence, Danner continues to build on its legacy of making footwear designed to take people further.

For more information, visit www.danner.com and http://www.bizjournals.com/portland.

ABOUT DANNER
For nearly a century, Danner has crafted boots with purpose and integrity—footwear to equip those who choose the unlikely path, those who cut fresh trails, those who pioneer. In 1932, Charles Danner came West to build the best boots loggers had ever known, an effort that resulted in a long-standing heritage brand with a renegade spirit. A spirit that proudly lives on in each pair of Danner boots it makes to this day. Whether you want to hike, work or simply walk around town, Danner boots are meant to take you somewhere. Lace a pair up and Go There. Visit www.danner.com for more information.

DANNER MEDIA CONTACT

Zach Zenteno, WH inc.

zachz@wh1969.com