Immigrant Began Making Shoes in 1905
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Some facts about Red Wing Shoe Co.:
* Founded: 1905 by German immigrant Charles H. Beckman
* CEO: Bill Sweasy Jr., third generation of Sweasy family to head the privately held company
* Sales: Estimated at $293 million in 1996 (about 15% international)
* Employment: Shoe manufacturing, 2,000; tannery, 400; St. James Hotel, 150
* Factories: Red Wing, Minn. (2); Potosi, Mo.; Danville, Ky.
* Product: Work shoes and boots for men and women
* Major brands: Red Wing, Irish Setter (introduced 1948), Vasque (introduced 1965, made overseas); Worx brand now in test markets
* U.S. sales: By 4,200 Red Wing dealers, about 400 Red Wing Shoe Stores (half company owned) and 1,800 Vasque dealers
* International sales: Through distributors in more than 100 countries
* Retail price: $90 to $250
* Lowest price: 99 cents for one style of work boot sold in 1929
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