Adidas athletic apparel and footwear

Adidas is a global leader in the sporting goods industry, originating from Herzogenaurach, Germany. The brand was officially founded by Adolf 'Adi' Dassler in 1949 following a split from his brother Rudolf, who went on to found Puma. The name 'Adidas' is a portmanteau of the founder's nickname 'Adi' and the first three letters of his surname 'Das'.

While its heart remains in Germany, Adidas operates an extensive global supply chain. As of the mid-2020s, approximately 90% of its products are manufactured in Asia, with Vietnam, Indonesia, and China serving as the primary production hubs. Vietnam typically accounts for the largest share of footwear production. The company also maintains specialized 'Speedfactories' and premium production lines in Germany and other locations for limited editions and high-tech prototypes.

Originally a family-owned enterprise, Adidas transitioned to a public company (Adidas AG) in the 1990s. Today, it is a widely held public corporation listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (DAX). It has no single controlling owner; instead, it is owned by a diverse group of institutional investors, including major global funds like Groupe Bruxelles Lambert, BlackRock, and Norges Bank.