After trial production in US and Europe, Adidas returns to Asia

Footwear maker pulls plug on robot-run Speedfactory in developed countries

20191127 Adidas Speedfactory

Prototypes of Adidas shoe parts during a presentation of the Speedfactory manufacturing process: The company hopes the move to Asia will lessen production lead times. © Reuters

KOSEI FUKAO, Nikkei staff writer

FRANKFURT, Germany -- Adidas will move its Speedfactory robotic technologies for athletic footwear from Germany and the U.S. to Asia by April 2020, ending automated production in the countries after only three years.

The company said it had achieved its goals in the two countries but the move indicates otherwise. Adidas hoped automated production would shorten lead times to market by setting up Speedfactories in profitable locales.

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