2026 NH SBA Small Business Manufacturer of the Year and New England Rural Business of the Year

Tucked into the village of Intervale, New Hampshire, Peter Limmer & Sons spent a century handcrafting boots trusted by outdoor enthusiasts and professionals. Each pair is built using traditional methods passed down from Peter Limmer Sr., a German-trained Master who brought his trade from Bavaria to America in 1926. After 24 years in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, the workshop moved to its historic Intervale location in 1950, where it continues to produce boots world-renowned for their durability and fit.

In recognition of that craftsmanship, longevity, and its impact, the U.S. Small Business Administration named Peter Limmer & Sons the 2026 New Hampshire Small Business Manufacturer of the Year and New England Rural Business of the Year.

After earning his master’s degree at Berkeley’s Graduate Theological Union, Adam Lane-Olsen moved to the Mount Washington Valley in 2013 to serve as a bank branch manager. His life changed three years later when Peter S. Limmer walked into his bank as a client. Adam soon began an intensive apprenticeship under Limmer, mastering every nuance of the craft—from leather selection and last shaping to hand-lasting and finishing. In 2021, he officially assumed ownership of the company. Today, Adam leads with deep respect for the Limmer legacy, preserving traditional methods while expanding the brand’s reach to customers nationwide and abroad.

Under Adam's leadership, the team has grown from three to eight employees, with strengthened financials and a domestic supply chain sourced primarily from U.S. tanneries -- a deliberate response to inflation, import volatility, and a commitment to consistent quality. An SBA line of credit loan helped make some of these improvements possible, supporting the company’s long-term growth and success. 

Adam lives in Mount Washington Valley with his wife and two children, one of whom works alongside him in the shop. He is a founding board member of North Country Cares, an NH-based 501(c)(3), and an active voice in the heritage craft community. 

Adam and the other SBA Award winners from New Hampshire will be honored at the SBA’s 2026 Small Business Week celebration on Thursday May 7, 2026 at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, 2 Institute Dr, Concord, NH 03301 from 4:30-6:30 pm. Register to join us at https://www.sba.gov/event/83083.