Recent photos from British photographerAlastair Philip Wipergo behind the scenes, where Adidas creates the brand’s wide-ranging footwear collection.
Wiper’s photos take us to three locations: Adidas headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany where Adidas tests new materials and concepts, the brand’s Indonesian manufacturing facility and Adidas’ “Speedfactory” in Bavaria where hi-speed manufacturing is driven by athlete data, pictured below.
The purpose for the photo collection was personal for Wiper, who was eager to visit and show the world through his lens where the iconic Adidas brand creates its shoes from the ground up.
The Indonesian factory employees more than 100,000 workers who turn 75,000 pairs of shoes each day, shown above. Adidas’ Speedfactory in Bavaria, below, customizes shoes from raw materials each day, and is where the brand sees the future of production for the company.
But it’s Adidas’ headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany where the brain child of development resides.
Here new materials and designs are created and tested by a team of shoemakers, robots and athletes to get the shoe right before the design is ready to be sent through to the manufacturing process.
When you see a pair of Adidas sneakers on a shoe wall, it’s hard to envision all of the intricacies that went into the creation of the shoe. Wiper’s photos give us a glimpse into the window of the process that Adidas undergoes to manufacturer the brand’s popular designs, right down to the small-scale production of new performance material.
Adidas was founded in 1949 by German athlete and shoemaker Adolf Dassler, pictured above left in Herzogenaurach, Germany with 47 employees. The brand came to prominence when the West German soccer team, wearing Adidas shoes, won the 1954 World Cup. Since then major innovations in Adidas’ shoe designs have been at the forefront of modern sneaker culture, with celebrities like Yeezy, pictured right and below, rocking the style.
Adidas… embracing the past, building the future.
I've delved into the intricate world of Adidas footwear production and the recent photo collection by Alastair Philip Wiper. With a keen eye for detail, Wiper took us on a journey behind the scenes, capturing the essence of Adidas' innovative processes and manufacturing facilities.
Let's start with Adidas' headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany. This is the birthplace of Adidas, where the magic happens. It's not just a place of corporate decisions; it's a hub of creativity and development. Shoemakers, robots, and athletes collaborate to create and test new materials and designs. The meticulous process ensures that each shoe is perfected before it goes into mass production.
Wiper's lens then takes us to the Indonesian manufacturing facility, a crucial part of Adidas' global production network. With over 100,000 workers, this facility churns out a staggering 75,000 pairs of shoes daily. The scale of production highlights the brand's commitment to meeting global demand while maintaining high-quality standards.
Another fascinating stop on this visual journey is Adidas' "Speedfactory" in Bavaria, Germany. This futuristic facility is where speed and precision converge. Athlete data drives hi-speed manufacturing, and shoes are customized from raw materials on a daily basis. This marks a glimpse into the future of production for Adidas, showcasing their commitment to innovation and efficiency.
The heart of Adidas' legacy lies in its roots, dating back to its founding in 1949 by German athlete and shoemaker Adolf Dassler. The iconic brand gained international acclaim when the West German soccer team, adorned in Adidas shoes, clinched the 1954 World Cup. Since then, Adidas has been at the forefront of sneaker culture, consistently innovating its designs.
Wiper's photo collection not only captures the massive scale of production but also unveils the smaller-scale processes, such as the creation of new performance materials. These behind-the-scenes glimpses remind us of the intricate craftsmanship and technological advancements that go into every pair of Adidas sneakers.
In the world of Adidas, it's not just about embracing the past; it's about building the future. From the historic headquarters in Herzogenaurach to the cutting-edge Speedfactory in Bavaria, Adidas continues to push boundaries, creating sneakers that resonate with athletes, celebrities, and sneaker enthusiasts alike.
