• adidas Group History

    Please find below a summary of the adidas Group’s history. You will find more detailed information on this topic in the download section of this site.

    1949

    The foundation

    18 August – adidas is registered as a company, named after its founder: ‘Adi’ from Adolf and ‘Das’ from Dassler.

    50s

    The ‘Miracle of Bern’

    1954 – The ‘Miracle of Bern’ Germany battle Hungary with a competitive advantage. They are wearing adidas soccer boots which for the first time feature removable studs.

    60s

    Higher

    Driven by a desire to help all athletes committed to performance, adidas manufactures equipment for what some consider “fringe sports”. Unconventional high jumper Dick Fosbury launches himself up and over in adidas footwear.

    70s

    The “adidas” team wins

    Crowning moment: Franz Beckenbauer, the “Kaiser”, raising the World Cup in victory salute. Germany had just beaten Holland 2-1 in the 1974 final.

    80s

    The transition

    After Adi Dassler’s death, Adi’s wife Käthe, his son Horst, and his daughters carry on the business.

    90s

    With a new management

    Under the CEO Robert Louis-Dreyfus, adidas is moving from being a manufacturing and sales based company to a marketing company.

    1995

    adidas goes public

    Flotation of the company on the Frankfurt and Paris Stock Exchange.

    1996

    A splendid year

    The “three-stripes company” equips 6,000 Olympic athletes from 33 countries. adidas athletes win 220 medals, including 70 gold. Apparel sales increase 50%.

    1997

    adidas-Salomon AG

    adidas AG acquires the Salomon Group with the brands Salomon, TaylorMade, Mavic and Bonfire in December 1997. The new company is named adidas-Salomon AG.

    1999

    The new brands

    The integration of the new brands is gaining momentum. The new TaylorMade FireSole clubs boost sales. Salomon in-line skates take off with high double-digit growth during the first half of 1999.

    2000

    New management

    Following personnel changes, the new management initiates an ambitious Growth and Efficiency Program. Major sports events such as the European Soccer Championship EURO 2000™ and the Olympic Summer Games, where swimmer Ian Thorpe takes three gold medals, contribute to the company’s success.

    2005

    Sale of Salomon

    The Salomon Group (including Salomon, Mavic, Bonfire, Cliché and Arc’Teryx) is being sold to Amer Sports in October 2005. The new adidas Group is focusing even more on its core strength in the athletic footwear and apparel market as well as the growing golf category. The legal name of the company will change to “adidas AG” in May/June 2006.

    2006

    adidas-Salomon AG acquires Reebok

    The closing of the Reebok transaction on January 31, 2006 marks a new chapter in the history of the adidas Group. By combining two of the most respected and well-known brands in the worldwide sporting goods industry, the new Group will benefit from a more competitive worldwide platform, well-defined and complementary brand identities, a wider range of products, and a stronger presence across teams, athletes, events and leagues.

    2010

    adidas Group presents strategic business plan

    In November 2010, the Group unveiled its 2015 strategic business plan named “Route 2015”. This plan is the most comprehensive the adidas Group has ever prepared, incorporating all brands, sales channels and Group functions globally.

    2011

    adidas Group acquires Five Ten

    On 3. November 2011, the adidas Group announced the acquisition of the outdoor specialist Five Ten. Five Ten is a leading brand in the technical outdoor market and within the outdoor action sport community. The brand represents an excellent addition to the adidas Outdoor portfolio and allows the adidas Group to expand into complementary market segments.

    2013

    adidas changes running forever

    Revolutionary energy return, superior cushioning, optimal fit and temperature independence: adidas introduces the Energy Boost, a cushioning technology that provides the highest energy return in the running industry. And just like that, running will never be the same.

    Adidas Q1 2015 Soccer Specialty Catalog