Wilson opens new factory. ( Figured there might be some football nerds here who might like this)

[earlyre]

The Wilson factory, where EVERY NFL football is made, is about 20 min east of me.
Today they had the grand opening of their new factory.
Here's the local news story.:

 

[Dave Hess]

Good to see a factory opening in the USA and employing folks in the community.

 

[Kira]

Wilson deserves a happy media day.
After their FPMS (Football Pressure Monitoring System) failed, they can use a little love.
It was to alert "in game deflations" to the officials.
..made the footballs fly all wobbly.

32 NFL teams buy how many footballs per year?

 

[y_p_w]

Wilson has an interesting history. They are pretty much foreign owned though.

 

[R_W_M]

That's where I grew up and graduated high school! The Wilson factory has been a mainstay employer in the town for a long time,
Here is a history of the company, for those who are interested.
http://www.playokantiques.com/ok-mfg-co-and-sonnett-history/

 

[y_p_w]

Wilson deserves a happy media day.
After their FPMS (Football Pressure Monitoring System) failed, they can use a little love.
It was to alert "in game deflations" to the officials.
..made the footballs fly all wobbly.

32 NFL teams buy how many footballs per year?

I would think that whatever contract that Wilson has with the NFL involves either free or low-cost equipment. But they can sell them to the public, as well as get the publicity of providing the official game balls.

I saw something claiming that they made about 2500 NFL footballs per day, which would be over a half million every year, assuming weekends and holidays off. Most of these are probably not being used by NFL teams. The list price is $150.

https://www.wilson.com/en-us/product/the-duke-nfl-football-wf10011#colorsteamname=69589&size=52979

 

[y_p_w]

That's where I grew up and graduated high school! The Wilson factory has been a mainstay employer in the town for a long time,
Here is a history of the company, for those who are interested.
http://www.playokantiques.com/ok-mfg-co-and-sonnett-history/

I believe that's part of the history where one company was purchased by Wilson Sporting Goods. However, the Wilson name came from Thomas E. Wilson whose company was involved in meatpacking. Apparently the sporting goods business was a way to use the skins/leather from slaughtering.

https://www.lib.uchicago.edu/collex/exhibits/meatpacking-midwest-thomas-e-wilson-family-collection/

 

[Carmudgeon]

And all the leather comes from Horween, in Chicago.

https://www.thetanneryrow.com/leather101/horween-football-leather