Brooks Sports, Inc., also known as Brooks Running, is an American company that designs and markets high-performance running shoes, apparel and accessories for men and women. Based in Seattle, Washington, Brooks products are available in 60 countries worldwide.
History of Brooks
Founded in 1914, it originally produced shoes for a wide range of sports. In 1975 Brooks collaborated with elite runners to design a running shoe. The collaboration produced Villanova, Brooks’ first high-performance running shoe to use EVA, an air foam that was quickly adopted by other sports brands. Brooks followed up the Villanova with The Vantage, a running shoe constructed with a wedge to address overpronation. In 1977, based on measurements of cushioning, flexibility and durability, the Vantage is ranked number one in the annual Runner’s World guide. Towards the end of the decade, Brooks became one of the top three selling brands in the U.S. In 1980, following production problems at its factory in Puerto Rico, Brooks discontinued 50,000 pairs of shoes. The company files for bankruptcy and is bought at auction by shoe manufacturer Wolverine World Wide in 1981.In 1982, stability becomes a priority for athletes, and Brooks introduces Chariot, a shoe that features a sloped wedge of harder density foam in the midsole.
“If your feet aren’t happy, you’re not happy.” Press ad, 1999
In 1992, Brooks launched the Beast, a motion control shoe incorporating diagonal roll bar technology. In 1994, it released the Adrenaline GTS – an abbreviation for ‘go-to-shoe’. With a firmer midsole density, the Adrenaline GTS is built on a semi-curved, design for runners with a high arch and wide forefoot. The Beast became a best seller and the Adrenaline GTS one of the best-selling running shoes of all time. In 1999, Brooks’ Run Happy slogan was used for the first time in print advertising. Instead of describing running as an exhausting activity, as the competition does, Run Happy is based on the idea that runners love to run and that Brooks products allow them to have the running experience they seek. In 2001, Jim Weber was appointed president and CEO of the company. The company’s market share is low and bankruptcy is again a concern. Weber cuts the low-priced footwear from the Brooks product line and concentrates production on running shoes with technical performance. As the brand is rebuilt, its annual turnover drops to $20 million. Three years later it rises to $69 million. In the mid-2000s, Brooks introduces BioMoGo, the first biodegradable midsole for running shoes. Using BioMoGo, Brooks estimates to cut over 30 million pounds of landfill waste over a 20-year period.In 2013, Brooks releases DNA (and later Super DNA) which provides customised cushioning tailored to the user’s gender, weight and pace. In 2011, Brooks became the leading running shoe in the speciality market. On its 100th anniversary, with a 29 per cent market share, Brooks’ revenues reached $500 million. Weber claims Brooks will become a billion-dollar brand. In 2017, Brooks shoes were named Best Running Shoes by publications including Runner’s World and Sports Illustrated. The company is also praised for its environmental sustainability programmes and technical innovation. Sustainability and Social Responsibility The Brooks Running Responsibly Program measures sustainability against five criteria: community, fair labour, product design and materials, manufacturing and footprint. In 2014, the company partnered with Bluesign Technologies to assess, manage and eliminate priority chemicals used in the apparel manufacturing process. Brooks is also a member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, a global trade organisation working to reduce the environmental and social impact of apparel and footwear products. Wherever possible, Brooks uses recycled materials, including shoeboxes, lace fabrics, tags and packaging.Built in 2014, Brooks’ headquarters meets the environmental standards of Seattle’s Deep Green pilot programme. The building captures and reuses at least 50 per cent of the rainwater on the site and uses 75 per cent less energy than a typical commercial building in the city. As of 2016, it is “one of the greenest buildings in the world”. Brooks offers paid time each year for employees to volunteer for community organisations.
Design for sustainability
The creation of waste during footwear production can be significantly altered by decisions made during product design. Brooks has implemented a programme to provide feedback to its footwear designers to assess the impact of waste resulting from design choices.
Developing industry-leading performance running footwear and apparel requires careful selection of materials that meet the high performance and quality standards required. Given the high environmental impact this entails Brooks is working hard behind the scenes to select materials that are better for both running and the environment.
Recycled and biodegradable polyester midsole in the footwear: polyester and EVA are used in the upper mesh and midsole respectively. The polyester has a minimum recycled content of 20% and all midsoles use BioMoGo DNA which includes a non-toxic organic additive that biodegrades the midsole 50 times faster than traditional EVA.
Brooks Slogan
No matter the question, the answer is ALWAYS RUNNING: whatever you are doing, wherever you are, when you run you free yourself from things that hold you back. You discover your way to truth and joy.
Running makes good things happen: it is the best and most exciting sport the world has ever known. It fuels confidence and optimism. It makes you feel better about yourself. It can change everything.
We do one thing in Brooks, the best running gear in the world. Nothing more. Nothing less. Every design and engineering choice is conceived around the needs of runners and the running experiences they crave.
We are experts in balancing art, science and runner’s knowledge: backed by extensive biomechanical research, the products we create for you feature innovations that always promote the fit, feel, ride, style and performance of your running gear.
We study every detail: you might never notice all the tuned grooves on the sole of your shoe or the high-tech weave that makes your jacket so breathable. But it’s those hundreds of little things that make your equipment as exceptional as you are. You deserve it all.
Brooks Technology
At Brooks, we take running and technology management very seriously. Our specialised high-tech features are what set our running shoes apart.
Footwear: Running is all we think about. All our running shoes are designed and manufactured with smart technologies to give you the right fit and functionality on every run. The hardened thermoplastic EVA sheath between the sole and midsole protects the forefoot by diffusing impact from sharp objects. DNA midsole: An innovative cushioning system that adapts to runners of all sizes and speeds. Super DNA: An adaptive midsole material that offers enhanced cushioning while providing maximum energy return and support.
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