Sebago

founded by

Daniel J. Wellehan, Sr., William Beaudoin and Joseph Cordeau

belongs to

Sebago

about

The Sebago-Moc Company is founded in 1946 by three New England natives: Daniel J. Wellehan, Sr., William Beaudoin and Joseph Cordeau. Their first shoe, the hand-sewn penny loafer, was styled after the popular Indian moccasins and pioneered what would become the company's patented welt construction. Two years after the initial founding, Sebago-Moc would sell its breakthrough leather boat shoe to Uniroyal.

In 1950, Sebago-Moc sales reaches $1,000,000. During these early years, the company's strength is in the private label footwear business. Although the Sebago-branded business is still very young, sales to retailers like Sears and Montgomery Ward are rising quickly. To keep up with the demand of 2,000 pairs a day, in 1952 Sebago-Moc begins construction on a new plant in Maine. By 1954, Sebago-Moc celebrates the production of its 1,000,000th pair of shoes.

Sebago-Moc truly goes international when Sr. Francisco Gaudier purchases a pair of classic loafers in Switzerland and, impressed, soon after signs a contract to distribute the footwear throughout Europe. Sebago-Moc shoes are unveiled at Semaine du Cuir, the international exhibition in Paris. Stateside, they debut their women's hand-sewn loafers, Jolly Rogers and build a new Maine plant for the production of their popular women's penny loafers.

In 1970, Sebago-Moc introduces their own branded boat shoe by the name of Docksides®, in the process dropping "Moc" from their name and becoming the brand known today as simply Sebago. Beloved Docksides would eventually come to define the entire boat shoe category. A year later, they would launch their machine-sewn casuals, Jesse Janes.

The arrival of the 80s brings about a resurgence in timeless style, making Docksides* a hit on campuses everywhere. In '81, Sebago Campsides make their debut. Three years later, Sebago becomes the first US company to sponsor a boat in the O-Star race, to be followed by other notable sponsorships. Not surprisingly, they become the official supplier of yachting footwear for the US Sailing Team.

Sebago remains true to its core, sponsoring a variety of sailing team and races, becoming the main sponsor of the 1992 America's Cup syndicate "Defender" and later the 1995 Young America team. Prior to, in 1994, Sebago launches its waterproof Drysides®.

Along with their authentic classics, they are also introducing new, innovative footwear to consumers in the 85+ countries where Sebago is sold. Plus, through global collaborations, they are also developing exclusive footwear, such as the multi-colored Docksides®they produced with French retailer, Colette, and the colorful, limited edition boat shoes they created with VANE New York City. Showing that while Sebago is always mindful of their legacy, as a company they will forever keep moving forward.