adidas Is Shutting Down German and US Factories

In a bid to be more economical and flexible with its production, adidas has announced plans to shut down its German and US robot factories. Instead, the sportswear powerhouse will send the insights discovered by these factories to its factories in Asia.

The brand’s Global Head of Production, Martin Shankland, said that the German and US factories succeeded in pushing the company’s innovative manufacturing techniques, but it would be easier to apply these techniques in Asia.

The German and US-based facilities were originally brought in by adidas to provide rapid production. By localising the production process, adidas was able to avoid higher shipping costs and increasing wages in Asia – but the brand’s original plan to open robot-powered factories around the world has fallen through as it’s proven to be slightly more costly than they originally anticipated.

Promising to continue testing new manufacturing methods in Germany, adidas will cease all SPEEDFACTORY production by April 2020 at the very latest. What do you think of this news? Is this a step backward? Let us know what's on your mind, and keep it locked at The Sole Supplier for the latest and greatest sneaker news!