Adidas sportswear

Adidas is a global powerhouse in the sports and lifestyle industry, with a history rooted in German innovation. The brand was officially founded by Adolf "Adi" Dassler on August 18, 1949, in Herzogenaurach, Germany, following a split from his brother Rudolf, who went on to found Puma. The name "Adidas" is a portmanteau of the founder's nickname and last name. Since its inception, the brand has been a leader in performance technology, famously equipping athletes like Jesse Owens and the German national football team.

Today, Adidas operates an asset-light manufacturing model, outsourcing more than 90% of its production to independent partners. While it maintains specialized facilities for high-tech production in Germany and other locations, the vast majority of its products are manufactured in Asia. Vietnam, Indonesia, and China serve as the primary production hubs for footwear and apparel, supported by other manufacturing bases in India, Cambodia, and Turkey. This global network allows the company to scale production efficiently to meet international demand.

As of 2026, Adidas AG is a publicly traded corporation with its headquarters still located in Herzogenaurach, Germany. The company is no longer family-owned, with ownership distributed among institutional and private investors worldwide. Under the leadership of CEO Bjørn Gulden, the brand continues to focus on strategic growth in key markets like North America and China, leveraging its iconic Three Stripes and Trefoil logos to bridge the gap between elite athletic performance and contemporary street culture.