Adidas' First SPEEDFACTORY in Germany Creates Sneakers Using Robots and 3D Printers

Adidas’s high-tech factory in Germany creates sneakers using robots and 3D printers.

Adidas has pioneered advanced production techniques with its SPEEDFACTORY, a high-tech facility in Germany that specializes in producing custom footwear quickly and sustainably. Launched in Ansbach, this factory utilizes cutting-edge robotic technology and automation to streamline the manufacturing process, allowing for on-demand production. The factory’s capabilities enable Adidas to react swiftly to consumer trends and localize production for specific markets, reducing shipping times and environmental impact.

One of the primary features of SPEEDFACTORY is its reliance on automation to minimize human labor and maximize precision. This allows Adidas to produce shoes with intricate designs and high levels of customization in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods. The factory is also focused on sustainability, using eco-friendly materials and processes to reduce waste and energy consumption, aligning with Adidas's broader goals of environmental stewardship and decarbonization.

Despite its innovative setup, the SPEEDFACTORY has also faced some operational challenges, which led to a strategic decision to move production to Asia for broader scalability. Nonetheless, the technology and lessons from the German factory are still crucial to Adidas's ongoing manufacturing innovations, including its sustainability initiatives and product responsiveness.

"SPEEDFACTORY combines the design and development of sporting goods with an automated, decentralised and flexible manufacturing process. This flexibility opens doors for us to be much closer to the market and to where our consumer is. 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."

                        Herbert Hainer, CEO of the adidas Group