Adidas Unveils Speedfactory - Adidas' First Automated Shoe Factory

Dec 9, 2015

by Chris

Adidas today unveiled its first Speedfactory following the introduction of the 3D printed midsole for running shoes in early October 2015. The pilot Adidas Speedfactory is currently set up in Ansbach (Germany).

The aim of Adidas' Speedfactory is to produce high-performance sporting goods faster than ever before using automated manufacturing that is located where the costumers are. Additionally, Speedfactory also has a positive impact on the environment by cutting down on shipping emissions.

Adidas' First Speedfactory Lands in Germany

The Adidas Speedfactory uses "intelligent robotic technology that not only offers the highest performance quality but also presents a unique design to the shoes." It's a revolutionary way to produce sporting goods, which are currently predominately made in low-income countries in Asia.

"SPEEDFACTORY combines the design and development of sporting goods with an automated, decentralized and flexible manufacturing process. This flexibility opens doors for us to be much closer to the market and to where our consumer is," said Herbert Hainer, CEO of the adidas Group. "Ultimately we are at the forefront of innovating our industry by expanding the boundaries for how, where and when we can manufacture our industry-leading products."

Adidas not only announced that the first Speedfactory has landed in Germany, the German brand also revealed that 500 pairs of running footwear will be launched in the first half of 2016. Additionally, the Three Stripes disclosed that "high-volume production for consumers [is] set to launch in the near future."

"The set-up of the first SPEEDFACTORY has kicked off in Ansbach, Germany, to propel a global network of automated production which brings cutting-edge technology to cities around the world. These first 500 pairs will help us set the scene for large-scale commercial production so each consumer can locally get what they want, when they want it, faster than ever," stated Gerd Manz, Vice President Technology Innovation at adidas.