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Even if you are not a fan of purchasing sneakers and premium shoes, you have no doubt heard of the Adidas name. Standing out as one of the top shoes manufacturers in the world, Adidas is a multinational corporation, founded in Herzogenaurach, Germany, where its largest headquarters currently resides. Though the company specialises predominately in shoes, it also manufactures clothing and accessories for sporting and athletic events and aesthetics. It is currently the biggest sportswear manufacturer in all of Europe, and the second biggest in the entire world, only behind Nike. The company is renowned for its storied history and the high-quality make of its shoes and sports accessories, making the brand stand out amongst its competition.
The History of Adidas
Adidas was started by Adolf Dassler, whose nickname was “Adi.” He first began making sports shoes after he came home from World War I. He used his mother’s laundry room or scullery as a base of operations in Herzogenaurach, Germany. Though his beginnings were humble, growth was definite, as later in 1924, when his older brother joined his business, the two began to focus on establishing their presence in Germany. They worked hard, sometimes using a stationary bicycle to pedal power into their equipment when the unreliable electrical supply in Herzogenaurach would malfunction.
As their business began to draw more and more attention, they began to develop their line even further. Adi Dassler would go on to assist the development of spiked running shoes, which were used for numerous athletic events. He transitioned from previous heavy models that made use of metal spikes to ones that utilised rubber and canvas, resulting in a lighter shoe that did not lose any of its traction. Later in 1936, Dassler would persuade the United States sprinter Jesse Owens to use these shoes during the Summer Olympics. When Owens won four gold medals, the reputation of the shoe company grew tremendously, resulting in international success.
After the Second World War ended, American occupying forces in the country became the biggest buyers of the company’s shoes. Despite such success, the two brothers eventually parted ways. Adi’s brother Rudolf would go on to form Puma, while Adi Dassler would create Adidas, pronounced “AH-dee-DAHS.” Though a popular idea behind the name is the backronym “All Day I Dream About Sports,” the truth is that the company name became a portmanteau of Adi, the nickname for Adolf, and Das from Dassler.
Since the brothers’ separation, there has been a bitter rivalry between Puma and Adidas, to the point where even their hometown was divided on their support. It became common for people of the town to bend their heads to see what shoes the people they pass by are wearing to determine what side they took in the affair. The rivalry culminated in a number of incidents over the years, particularly centered around the Olympics, but both brothers ultimately moved forward with their brands in unique ways. Adidas adopted the three-stripe logo following the 1992 Olympics. The original logo featured a trefoil until 1992, when the stripes became much more minimalist and easier to apply to various other clothing and design elements.
Despite a period of financial trouble following Horst Dassler’s, Adolf Dassler’s son’s, death, the company has been going strong. With countless products readily available on a constantly updating website and with hundreds of retail locations all over the world, many who shop for sporting goods and efficient athletic footwear will return to Adidas time after time.
Where are Adidas Shoes Manufactured?
Adidas has a broad variety of manufacturing plants in 69 countries all over the world. Arranged by continent, there are numerous plants that specialise in country-specific equipment and sportswear that cater to all varieties of local advertisements and trends.
Africa has around 24 Adidas factories, with the overwhelming majority of them located in South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. Three of the remaining facilities are located in Madagascar and Mauritius and the other three are located in North Africa.
The continent of Asia has more Adidas factories than anywhere else, with around 27 percent of all of the company’s factories located in China. There are 337 factories in China, followed by 99 in India. Indonesia and Vietnam have 79 and 76 respectively, and the rest of the factories are divided between several other major countries in the region. Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Korea, Cambodia and Pakistan are all countries that have between 10 and 60 factories in them. In the Middle Eastern nations, Turkey accounts for 13 factories, while Israel and Jordan both have one each.
Though there is a significant presence of Adidas factories in Australia and New Zealand, both countries have seen a drop in their number. From 10 factories in 2009, Australia dropped to three factories in 2010. New Zealand, similarly, had five factories in 2009 and then one in 2010. According to the Adidas group, these decreases are the result of consolidating sourcing instead of focusing on a larger dependence on foreign imports.
In direct contrast to their Oceania presence, there are numerous factories that are spread all throughout Europe. The most factories are located in Germany, as the country has experienced an increase from 13 in 2009 to 23 in 2010. The UK, Italy and Spain all have over 10 factories, and there are seven factories located in Sweden. There are numerous factories located all over Eastern and Central Europe as well. Belarus, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Moldova, Hungary and Poland all feature factories dedicated to the production of Europe-focused lines of Adidas goods.
Finally, there is a tremendous presence of Adidas factories in North and South America. The Americas feature 215 factories, with the majority located in the United States at 71. Canada has 29 and Mexico has 19, and in South America, Brazil has the highest number of factories, with 50 reported in 2010, almost double the amount that they had in 2008.
Adidas Product Offering
Adidas is renowned for its line of footwear. Not only are there numerous cleats, athletic sneakers and boots available for sale, interested shoppers can also purchase a broad variety of general accessories and apparel. Individuals may purchase tops, coats, pants and shorts available for men, women and children on the company’s website. A lot of the equipment is designed to be easy to purchase for deals and pairs, and there are numerous sales opportunities available as well. Customers who would like to stay ahead of their budget are encouraged to use the promotional codes that come with any of the sign-up bonuses available on the website.
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The company also offers personalised products. For athletes who are interested in getting a shoe that will provide them with the best possible experience, they can sign up with mi Adidas to customise a shoe starting from a base template. There are three categories: Originals, Running and Basketball. From here on, individuals may move forward with the creation process, choosing their favourite from a number of options in additional categories. Once all of the personalisation is done, the shopper can purchase the final product and receive it as specified. The pages
How to cop and drop the Adidas range
The company is dedicated to a certain level of quality for all of its sports apparel and shoes. As such, they want individuals who make the relevant purchases to be happy with what they get.
If the customer is not totally satisfied with a purchase, they will be able to receive a full refund as long as the item is returned within a period of 30 days. There may be some restrictions to watch out for, and individuals should always focus on the timeframe so that they do not miss their return window.
The Adidas website features a number of different online returns pages. Those who want to process a return can print the label and drop off the package at most UPS Drop Off locations to return the product. Beginning the process is as easy as choosing the item and the reason for the return. Make sure to attach the order’s shipping label to your box and cover previous barcodes or previous delivery addresses.
Individuals will also have the opportunity to return any unused or new products at the retail location itself. Like with mailing, individuals should be sure to return the item within the 30 day purchasing window. Customers should also bring a key piece of information, such as the original form of payment, a confirmation email, or the returns sticker received with the shipping box. These are necessary for the store to return the full purchase price in processing the return. Without a receipt, the store may still issue store credit at the current product price.
How to Care for and Wash Adidas Shoes
Keeping the shoes and boots clean will provide you with much more use in the long-term. Dirt and debris can wear away at the material, reducing longevity and resulting in potential defects and issues appearing earlier. Fortunately, keeping the shoes clean can be as easy as following a few simple steps.
Always begin by removing as much dirt as possible. Bang the soles together and scrub the last dirt away with a toothbrush. Apply a bit of mild liquid detergent to a wet washcloth and use it to gently remove visible stains. Once done, remove any excess suds and soap with another wet washcloth. Once done, simply air-ry the shoes at room temperature indoors.
This basic cleaning procedure can be used for just about all other types of shoes and boots as well. With soccer cleats, you may need to take a little bit more time to clean the surface because of how muddy they can get, but they should come out good as new after you are done with the basic clean.
If you are not interested in washing the shoes by hand, you can always use a washing machine as well. While it is possible to use the washing machine exclusively, it is important to use a low setting to avoid damaging the material. Never wash anything made from real leather or suede. Only use a small to medium amount of liquid detergent, as the powdered variety may get stuck within the material. Make sure to set it on a delicate cycle with plenty of extra rinse to better remove the soap residue.
Once the cycle is done and you are ready to take the shoes out, make sure that you air dry them and try to avoid direct sunlight, as it may discolour some shoes or shrink the material. Put a cotton towel inside each shoe as well, as this will all them to keep their shape during the drying process.
If you notice that your shoes are starting to show signs of wear and dirt, wash them as carefully as possible to ensure their use for years to come. Like any other type of clothing or equipment, your sportswear will perform much better and last much longer if they are regularly cared for.
Do Old Adidas Products Have Collectible Value?
Every now and then, Adidas will release collectible shoes and series that are intended for a limited production. In addition to the collections that are designed to be sold for their collectible value, individuals may also consider looking into a variety of different unique shoes that may have been recalled or sold outside of the general market demand. These include things like misprints, colour errors or even items with branding errors in the logo.
Individuals who are interested in collecting may choose to do so for any variety of reasons. Fans of the company itself will always want to purchase limited runs and keep up with some of the most attractive options that their favourite brand has to offer. Others may be interested in the historical value of the shoes, as the company has released various products with both brand and marketing changes and product historians may be interested in keeping up with these items.
There are also many who will be interested in purchasing older products for their potential resale value to other collectors. Because of how consistently the company releases new lines and products, it is easy to see why some collectors would be interested in holding onto older products.
Because of how frequently such products are discontinued, however, it is vital for individuals to know where to shop. There are numerous secondhand locations that interested buyers may shop for old Adidas products. Many of these are available online, but those who are interested in purchasing older equipment for a more affordable price should be sure to check out thrift stores and used clothing shops as well. Individuals who want to make the most of their purchase should also pay attention to the Adidas website itself. Sometimes older lines and collections are brought back, providing shoppers with the opportunity to make a long-lasting purchase.
The outlook remains bright for the future of the shoe and sportswear giant. New locations are frequently being opened all over the world, with region-specific stores providing interested shoppers with both local and legacy collections. Quality testing standards remain as stringent as ever, and individuals who are interested in shoes that can keep up with their athletic activities are strongly encouraged to shop with Adidas for what the company can offer in terms of style, comfort and long-lasting appeal.
