Keen Footwear plans to ramp up production at its new...

Keen Footwear plans to ramp up production at its new small factory in Portland, Oregon, the Oregonian newspaper reports. James Curleigh, the company’s chief executive, said that Keen invested $2 million to $3 million in the so-called PM Factory, where it has been making the steel-toed Portland Boot since October. In 2011, three casual shoe styles will begin production at the plant: the NoPo and Fremont men’s shoes, and the Prescott for women. More will be added in 2012. For the Portland Boot, the uppers come from Asia but the footwear is assembled and boxed in Oregon. The company labels them “Built in America,” rather than “Made in America.”