The Timberland Company - fashion company profile on Apparel Search

Timberland is a big company made up of a lot of small parts and incredibly talented people.  They make boots, shoes, clothes and gear that are comfortable enough to wear all day and rugged enough for all year. They don't rest on their accomplishments.  If they did, they would have only made one waterproof leather boot in there entire history.  Obviously, they have achieve much more.

They believe that their place in this world is bigger than the things they put in it. So they volunteer in their communities. Making new products goes hand in hand with making things better. That means reducing their carbon footprint and being as environmentally responsible as they can.

They love every minute they spend outdoors, and they work hard to create things that make that experience better in every way.

1952    Every journey has a beginning. Theirs begins when Nathan Swartz buys part of the Abington Shoe Company.  He learns how to make shoes, and starts working on ways to make them better.

1955    Nathan Swartz becomes sole owner of the Abington Shoe Company. Business is good, and sons Sidney and Herman join him at work.

1965    History in the making. The Swartz family introduces injection molding to the footwear industry and the first truly waterproof Timberland® leather footwear is born.

1973    The Timberland® boot is introduced. It stands for rugged durability and exceptional craftsmanship. It still does.

1978    "The Timberland Company" becomes their official name. They manufacture their first hand-sewn casual shoe.

1980    The small New England footwear company leaves its footprint on the international fashion market as Italian exports take off.

1985    Timberland® footwear is exported to other locations in Europe and the Far East.

1986    The next generation of Timberland. Nathan's son Sidney becomes sole proprietor of The Timberland Company. Sidney's 26-year-old son Jeffrey joins the company as head of international sales.

1987    The company goes public on the American Stock Exchange.

1988    Men's and women's clothing lines are introduced. Timberland® specialty stores open in Boston, New York and London.

1989    Their longstanding partnership with City Year begins with 50 pairs of boots. It will eventually grow to over $10 million in support, allowing City Year to expand to 18 cities.

1989    They introduce their first lightweight hiking boot, with a Timberland® Trail Grip™ sole for traction without harming the trail.

1990    Timberland® apparel for women is introduced.

1991    Jeffrey Swartz is named COO. Waterproof leather outerwear and accessories are introduced. Timberland® leather means true protection for the elements.

1992    The Path of Service™ program is launched, and employees are offered 16 hours of paid leave to perform service in their communities every year.

1992    Timberland joins Business for Social Responsibility, teaming up with other businesses to initiate social change.  Their "Give Racism the Boot" campaign delivers messages of tolerance.

1993    How they make Timberland® products is as important as what they make. They sign a set of environmental guidelines from the Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies (CERES).

1996    Boots and shoes for kids introduce Timberland to a whole new generation. Product lines expand with watches, daypacks, travel gear, gloves, and more.

1997    Advanced Combination Construction (ACC) and B.S.F.P.™ outsole technology make Timberland® footwear even more comfortable and rugged.

1997    The Path of Service™ program expands to 40 hours of paid community service time for employees every year.

1997    Fortune Magazine lists Timberland as one of The Best Places to Work for the next 10 years.

1998    Jeffrey Swartz, grandson of Timberland founder Nathan Swartz, becomes President and Chief Executive Officer.

1998    Timberland's 25th anniversary. They celebrate by putting on their first company-wide day of community service. They call it Serv-a-palooza, and it becomes an annual worldwide event.

1999    Timberland PRO® series is introduced, featuring comfort, protection and durability for working professionals.

2000    Timberland is honored by Business Ethics Magazine as one of the "100 Best Corporate Citizens."

2001    The Path of Service™ sabbatical program is introduced, giving employees the opportunity to apply for long-term service projects.

2001    The Committee to Encourage Corporate Philanthropy selects Timberland as a recipient of the 2001 Annual Excellence in Corporate Philanthropy Awards.

2004    Working Mother magazine names Timberland to their list of "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers."  They will receive the honor again in 2005 and 2006.

2004    Timberland employees begin to take advantage of a $3,000 stipend toward the purchase of hybrid vehicles.

2005    Timberland acquires the SmartWool Corporation and introduces more footwear that benefits from its temperature regulating features.

2005    Timberland donates footwear and gear to Hurricane Katrina disaster relief efforts and extends its employee service sabbatical program with the Red Cross.

2006    Timberland's distribution center in Ontario, California generates 60% of its power through the installation of new solar panels. The solar installation reduces green house gas emissions by an estimated 480,000 pounds per year.

2006    The Timberland PreciseFit™ system is awarded an IDEA silver award for innovation in design.

2006    The Timberland® Cadion is named Backpacker Magazine Editors' Choice.

2006    howies, an active sports brand from Wales, UK, is acquired.

2007    Timberland is named to CRO Magazine's list of Best Corporate Citizens.

2007    Timberland acquires iPath, a skate-inspired footwear and clothing brand.

2011  In June 2011 it was announced that Timberland would be purchased by VF Corporation.  VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC), a leader in branded lifestyle apparel, and The Timberland Company (“Timberland”)(NYSE: TBL) jointly announced on June 13, 2011 that they have signed a definitive merger agreement. VF will pay Timberland shareholders $43 per share, representing a total enterprise value of approximately $2 billion net of cash acquired. The merger agreement was unanimously approved by both companies' Boards of Directors.

To learn more about The Timberland Company, please visit www.timberland.com.