Thorogood American Heritage 11 Soft Toe Wellington Boots for Men

Albert H. Weinbrenner, at the age of 27, opened a cobblery in Milwaukee with partner Joseph Peffer, serving the "Jobbing" trades in 1892. The Albert H. Weinbrenner Co. was formed in 1900. The company's first catalog was printed in 1916, and it had more leather cutting machines than any other in the U.S. at the time.

In 1917, the "Job-fitted" concept was introduced, and Weinbrenner became a major contributor of boots to the U.S. Army during World War I. The company took its first steps into safety footwear production in 1938 and celebrated its 50th anniversary in business in 1942, converting to all-military footwear for the duration of World War II, producing combat and dress styles. Military footwear also became popular with civilians.

In 1943, the company's workers organized under the International Boot & Shoe Workers Union, but management and workers maintained an outstanding relationship through today. The Official Boy Scout Boot, the Hike n' Camp, was introduced in 1964 with a wedge sole and moccasin-style stitching, becoming the company's best-selling boot of all time and still available in its original design today.

The company was purchased by a local group, including six employees, in 1988, and the "ThoroGard" division was created, featuring high-tech occupational safety footwear. Weinbrenner celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1992 with the theme "A Century of Lasting Quality."

In 2000, Weinbrenner employees took ownership of the company through an ESOP. Within three days of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, Weinbrenner donated 300 pairs of durable work boots to Ground Zero, with an additional 200 pairs following. The 1892 Heritage line of handcrafted, lifestyle boots was introduced in 2014, built on the iconic No. 60 last.

Weinbrenner celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2017, demonstrating a renewed commitment to upgrading and improving domestic facilities, machines, equipment, manufacturing methods, and computer systems/programs. In 2022, Weinbrenner celebrated 130 years as a company, with the opening of a new factory in Merrill, WI and the launch of the first western wear product, Thorogood's Square Toe Wellingtons.

Sales continue to increase as Thorogood gains popularity and expands with many new styles on the horizon.

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