In time, order processing, sales forecasting, production planning, purchasing, and other administrative systems were installed. Over the past ten years, New Balance has placed a PC on nearly every desk. Internally, the Web is monitored to learn what customers are saying about their products and service. We're about half way through that. When that is complete, anyone who has a PC will have access to a lot of information.
Outer soles have unique tread designs for different types of shoes and surfaces.
A competitive advantage New Balance has always prided itself upon is multiple widths. That requires additional precision in manufacturing. Over the past three years, IT techniques and solutions have also reduced the time it takes to make a pair of shoes from 45 minutes to 25 minutes or less. Computerized machines perform cutting, injection molding, and stitching. Gardner says that IT has helped plan manufacturing operations better.