vf corporation looking for site in metro denver

The manufacturer of some of the most popular outdoor and lifestyle apparel in the country is currently scouting locations in metro Denver for both a temporary and longterm headquarters.

The VF Corporation has been based in Greensboro, North Carolina since its founding in 1899. But several months ago, it began an effort to move its facilities elsewhere, a search that eventually saw it looking at both Portland, Oregon and the Denver area.

Ultimately, the company, with more than $12 billion in annual revenues, decided to head for Colorado.

In a statement, Steve Rendle, VF Corporation chief executive officer, said, “We believe the creation of our new headquarters in the area will help us to unlock collaborations across our outdoor brands, attract and retain talent, and accelerate innovation.”

The move will also see the relocation of individual operations owned by VF, including Smartwool, The North Face, and JanSport, to metro Denver in an effort to physically consolidate its operations.

VF Corporation’s decision to relocate to the Mile High City means at least 800 new jobs for the area.

What isn’t known is whether VF will want to build a single centralized campus where all of its subsidiary companies will be located, or have those companies set up in different parts of the city.

There is also a possibility that VF Corporation vendors and suppliers may be moving to the Denver area as a result of the headquarters’ relocation.

In a press conference, Rendle said Colorado’s “position on the outdoor environment—clean air and land and access—is personal to our employees, and we’re creating an environment that allows our employees to bring their best selves to work.”

Rendle added: “This just started to feel like the best place to be.”

By Garry Boulard

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