Shoe manufacturing revival group now seeking funding

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

    DEXTER — They have the desire, location, a ready pool of workers and a product logo.
    They even have companies “definitely interested” in doing business with them.
    But the major item that a group of local entrepreneurs who plan to revive shoe manufacturing in Dexter doesn’t have yet is funding. “Basically, we need $1.3 million to make this happen,” said Alisha Ames, who helped develop the group’s business plan. “We really want to get local people involved, but we may have to seek outside sources. Our whole goal is to put people back to work.”

    NEW LOGO — The new shoe manufacturing company logo, designed by Alisha Ames, doesn’t use the name “Dexter” due to trademark considerations. So D.M. with the address of the firm passes legal muster.

    The group met on April 12 at the Dexter Club to discuss a presentation made to a pair of “major companies with strong Maine ties,” said Gerry Marshall, Ames’ father and one of the founders of the program. “I came out of one meeting feeling very positive. We met with four different people involved in the product development team, and that was a huge step forward.”
    Marshall declined to name the companies “since nothing has been confirmed yet,” but said that one is a brand “that everyone is familiar with.”
    Jim Tobin, a former state representative and director of the Tri-County Technical Center, arranged the meeting through some mutual friends in the company. “Some of their shoes are made in America, some in Ecuador and some from Brazil … but the quality was outstanding,” Tobin said. He concurred that while “they didn’t promise us anything, I had the feeling that they wanted to do business with us.”
    Dick Hall and Jim Costedio, who held supervisory positions with the old Dexter Shoe Company, also attended the presentation.
    Hall said that “there was a lot of give and take during the meeting, but I came away quite impressed. I think we have a future with this company.”
    Costedio said that his first impression was that “they were interested in doing business with us from the get-go. Whether it’s because they heard of us before we walked in, it’s hard to say. But they were willing to accept us as a viable entity.”
    Costedio said another hot prospect is a children’s shoe manufacturer, and they were interested enough to send samples of their product to the group. “We’ll have shoemakers dissect them, figure out a cost and get back to them,” Costedio said. “That’s work that takes time, but it’s a start.”
    Marshall first announced plans to form the company in December and has offered space in the former Dexter elementary and junior high complex on Abbott Hill, which he owns. A public hearing is scheduled on May 8 for a zoning law change to permit manufacturing in the buildings, which are located in the town’s commercial zone.
    The group held a job fair at the town office shortly after Christmas; and despite 20-below weather, more than 130 people showed up to fill out surveys of interest.
    Many were former employees of Dexter Shoe, the town’s largest employer for years until it was sold and manufacturing ceased permanently in 2001.
    Ames said that that the concept of bringing shoemaking jobs back to Dexter “is almost like a Hallmark movie in progress. This company would promote the fact that they’re using Maine-made products, and I think that gave us a real upper hand in the meeting.”
    But all agreed that nothing can be started unless there’s enough money available for equipment, overhead, payroll, working capital and materials.
    Ames said that while it would be ideal for the new company to be employee-owned “like Cianbro Corporation,” it’s next-to-impossible to finance a venture like this with several small shareholders “due to Security Exchange Commission regulations.”
    But Ames emphasized that if the venture can’t be profitable “there’s no reason to do it. We’re not going to hire people and lay them off six months later.”
    Ames said that as of now, Marshall is the point man for the fledgling firm and has put a lot of his own time and money into it. “But Dad doesn’t want to own a shoe factory,” she said.
    One scenario would be to seek 13 people willing to invest $100,000 “who would be equal owners. They would sit on a board, meet once a month and make decisions for the company. You can’t just have someone invest and not get involved.”
    Marshall said that it’s now time to “bring in some outside people who have financial expertise. If anyone knows someone who can help us, please come forward. The people in the government agencies are nice people, but they’re limited as to what they can do.”
    A follow-up meeting is set for early May; and anyone interested in the new venture can contact Marshall at 416-4299.
    A Facebook page has also been set up: “Bringing jobs to Dexter Maine.”

Observer photo/Mike Lange

    LIGHTER MOMENT — Gerald Marshall, left, chats with Jim Tobin during Saturday’s meeting.