Voxel8 Additive Manufacturing Delivers Enhanced Comfort to Hush Puppies Brand

Hush Puppies, the iconic Wolverine Worldwide brand, will commercialize Voxel8's digital manufacturing technology in midsoles that provide enhanced comfort, support and longevity, the company says.

Voxel8's ActiveLab system offers a complete turnkey solution, including precision hardware, integrated software and advanced materials. 

“Our printed lattice structures with precisely tuned mechanical properties are being used as inserts in midsoles to provide enhanced shock absorption,” says Voxel8's chief technical officer and co-founder, Travis Busbee. “Moreover, we have measured no change in the shock absorption and four times less thickness change after 100,000 cycles, as compared to traditional foams. Our sustainable and scalable technology transforms how footwear is developed and produced, with shorter design cycle times and no-tooling manufacturing. Our software-driven digital manufacturing opens the door to cost effective, customized designs in the future.”

“Voxel8 technology is gaining global commercial traction in casual and athletic footwear, and Wolverine and Hush Puppies are valued partners on this journey. We are delighted to support new product innovation at Hush Puppies, ramping up production from our facility in Somerville MA and expanding to Asia for volume production,” says Friedrich von Gottberg, CEO of Voxel8.

“Hush Puppies is excited to build on our history of comfort innovation with the Voxel8 partnership.  The brand invented casual 60+ years ago and we are committed to bringing a fresh, innovative approach to the brand as we look to 'Reinvent Casual' for the next 60 years,” notes Kate Pinkham, VP/GM of Hush Puppies.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.