LL Bean Increasing Production of Classic LLBean Boots

L.L. Bean is taking on its boot-backlog with a new manufacturing facility.

The Associated Press reports the Maine-based retailer is expanding production to keep up with demand for its leather-and-rubber "duck boot" with a new manufacturing center being unveiled Thursday.

Annual sales have grown from fewer than 100,000 a decade ago to this year's projection of 750,000 pairs. The company hopes to hit the 1 million mark next year.

The Bean boots are made in Brunswick and in Lewiston.

In Lewiston, the 106,000-square-foot facility doubles production space.

L.L. Bean plans to hire an additional 160 manufacturing workers in Lewiston and Brunswick according to AP.