If you’ve ever wondered where Adidas was founded, or how it became one of the biggest names in sportswear, this article explains it clearly — from its German roots to its global dominance today.
As someone who works in the activewear manufacturing industry with FuKi Gymwear, I’ll also share what new brands can learn from Adidas’s rise.
Table of Contents
- Quick Answer: Where Is Adidas Originally From?
- 1. Adidas’s German Origins
- 2. Founding Story: The Dassler Brothers
- 3. Growth from Local Factory to Global Brand
- 4. Adidas Headquarters and Production Today
- 5. Adidas vs. Puma: The Rivalry That Shaped Sportswear
- 6. Lessons New Brands Can Learn from Adidas
- FAQs
- Build Your Own Global Sportswear Brand with FuKi Gymwear
Quick Answer: Where Is Adidas Originally From?
✅ Adidas was founded in Herzogenaurach, Germany in 1949 by Adolf “Adi” Dassler.
The brand’s name — Adidas — comes from combining his nickname Adi and the first three letters of his surname Dassler.
💬 So yes — Adidas is proudly German, and it remains headquartered there today.
1. Adidas’s German Origins
- Founded: 1949
- Founder: Adolf (Adi) Dassler
- Original Location: Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, Germany
- Company Type: Private family business turned global corporation
Adi Dassler’s goal was simple: to help athletes perform better.
From a small workshop, he started producing track shoes with innovative spikes — marking the beginning of a global sportswear revolution.
2. Founding Story: The Dassler Brothers
Before Adidas, Adi Dassler worked with his brother Rudolf Dassler, who later founded Puma.
Their company — Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik — was established in the 1920s.
However, after disagreements post–World War II, the brothers split in 1948, creating Adidas and Puma — two rival companies in the same German town.
| Brand | Founder | Year Founded | Origin City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adidas | Adolf Dassler | 1949 | Herzogenaurach, Germany |
| Puma | Rudolf Dassler | 1948 | Herzogenaurach, Germany |
🏠 To this day, both brands’ headquarters remain just a few kilometers apart.
3. Growth from Local Factory to Global Brand
Adidas grew rapidly after athletes wearing its shoes won Olympic medals, gaining worldwide credibility.
By the 1970s, it had become synonymous with sports culture — from football (soccer) to streetwear fashion.
Today, Adidas operates in over 160 countries and employs more than 60,000 people worldwide.
| Decade | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1940s–50s | Founded & gained fame via Olympic athletes |
| 1970s | Became a global sportswear symbol |
| 2000s | Expanded into fashion collaborations |
| 2020s | Focused on sustainability & digital retail |
4. Adidas Headquarters and Production Today
- Global HQ: Herzogenaurach, Germany
- Regional Hubs: Portland (USA), Shanghai (China), Amsterdam (Netherlands)
- Main Manufacturing: China, Vietnam, Indonesia, India
While its headquarters remain in Germany, Adidas manufactures globally through an ethical and sustainable supply chain.
💡 This allows Adidas to balance heritage craftsmanship with scalable global production.
5. Adidas vs. Puma: The Rivalry That Shaped Sportswear
The Adidas–Puma rivalry shaped modern sportswear marketing.
While Puma focused on speed and fashion collaborations, Adidas expanded into innovation and sponsorships — especially in soccer.
| Brand | Focus | Style Identity |
|---|---|---|
| Adidas | Innovation & performance | Classic, global sportswear |
| Puma | Speed & street appeal | Youthful & bold |
| Nike | Lifestyle + technology | Modern, performance-first |
Both brands’ German roots continue to influence the global activewear industry.
6. Lessons New Brands Can Learn from Adidas
For startup or OEM brands, Adidas offers key lessons in brand building:
- ✅ Consistency builds trust — Adidas never changed its identity.
- ♻️ Invest in sustainability — recycled materials are the future.
- 🌍 Go global, stay authentic — local storytelling can scale.
- 💡 Collaborate smartly — fashion partnerships expand audiences.
At FuKi Gymwear, we help brands apply these principles to create sustainable, scalable, and high-performance activewear.
FAQs
Q1: Is Adidas a German brand?
A: Yes — it was founded in Germany in 1949 by Adi Dassler.
Q2: Where is Adidas headquartered today?
A: In Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, Germany, where it all began.
Q3: Is Adidas still family-owned?
A: No, it’s now a publicly traded company but still reflects its founding values.
Q4: What’s the connection between Adidas and Puma?
A: They were founded by brothers who split their original shoe company in 1948.
Build Your Own Global Sportswear Brand with FuKi Gymwear
Inspired by Adidas’s global success story?
At FuKi Gymwear, we help create custom gymwear and athleisure brands with the same global mindset.
We offer:
- 🧵 OEM/ODM manufacturing for sportswear, yoga, and streetwear
- 🌿 Eco-friendly & recycled fabrics
- 🏷️ Private label customization (logo, packaging, labeling)
- 🚀 Low MOQ and worldwide shipping
💬 Turn your activewear idea into a sustainable global brand with FuKi Gymwear.
