1978 — Blake Krueger begins serving as outside legal counsel to Wolverine World Wide Inc.
1993 — Krueger joins the firm as general counsel and secretary.
— The company does business in 60 countries.
1994 — Wolverine acquires the global license for Cat Footwear.
1996 — Krueger is promoted to EVP, general counsel and secretary.
— The firm purchases the HyTest brand and Hush Puppies U.K. business.
1997 — Wolverine buys the Merrell brand, the global license for Harley- Davidson Footwear and the global license for Coleman Footgear.
1999 — The company acquires the license for Stanley Footwear.
2000 — Wolverine’s brands are sold in 140 countries with $701 million in annual sales.
2001 — Merrell Europe is purchased.
— To support workers at Ground Zero following Sept. 11, 4,000 pairs of steel-toe and safety footwear are donated.
2002 — The firm buys Caterpillar Europe.
— Annual sales hit $827.1 million.
2003 — The Sebago brand is added.
— The company sells 41 million pairs of shoes in 150 countries.
2004 — Krueger is named EVP and secretary of Wolverine World Wide and president of the Heritage Brands Group.
— Annual sales total $991.9 million.
— Wolverine wins Footwear News’ Company of the Year award.
2005 — Krueger is promoted to president and COO.
— The firm acquires the global license for Patagonia Footwear.
— Sales reach $1.06 billion.
2006 — Wolverine operates in 176 countries.
2007 — Krueger is named president and CEO.
— Merrell apparel and Wolverine apparel debut.
2008 — The company receives the American Apparel & Footwear Association’s Excellence in Lifestyle Branding Award.
2009 — Wolverine acquires the Cushe and Chaco brands.
2010 — Krueger is named chairman, CEO and president.
— Annual sales hit $1.25 billion.
2011 — The firm’s brands are sold in 190 countries.
2012 — Wolverine buys the Sperry Top-Sider, Saucony, Keds and Stride Rite labels from Collective Brands Inc.
