The additive manufacture of sport shoe midsoles using Carbon’s Digital Light Synthesis (DLS) process is set to continue despite Adidas’ decision to close its Speedfactory facilities in Germany and the United States.
Adidas’ Speedfactories were launched two years ago with Carbon’s 3D printing technology cited as a key component of production thanks to its ability to reduce and eliminate prototyping and moulding steps. Together with Oechsler, who oversees operations at the facilities in Ansbach, Germany and Atlanta, USA, the partners targeted the delivery of 100,000 pairs of Futurecraft 4D shoes by the end of 2018. On October 29th 2019, Adidas informed the management of Oechsler Group that production at the Speedfactories would cease no later than April 2020 with the sportswear brand stating in a press release that Speedfactory technology will now be used by two existing suppliers in Asia.
Yet, in statements given to TCT, Carbon and Oechsler have both said these developments do not affect the production of the Adidas Futurecraft 4D products which will continue using DLS technology. In a post on social media, Carbon said the partnership with Adidas was 'as strong as ever', though Adidas said it would not provide details as to ‘where and how we will install Carbon printers at this time.’ The sportswear company expects the move to its Asian suppliers will result in better utilisation of existing production capacity and more flexibility in product design, while maintaining a short production time. It also suggested the production processes ‘tested’ at the Speedfactories would help the company to achieve quick production turnarounds of running shoes and models of other product categories.
Adidas Futurecraft 4D.
“The knowledge we gained from setting up and operating the Speedfactories was made possible through constructive cooperation with Oechsler and the team there. With this, we have pioneered new manufacturing processes, including significant reduction in production time of athletic footwear,” commented Martin Shankland, Member of the Executive Board of Adidas AG, Responsible for Global Operations, in a company press release. “We very much regret that our collaboration in Ansbach and Atlanta has come to an end and thank all project participants for their commitment.”
The feeling of regret is shared by Oechsler who, despite continuing its relationship with Adidas in a number of areas, will likely now have to make significant redundancies on both sides of the Atlantic. After a first internal review, more than 100 of 270 employees currently working at the Ansbach plant and approximately 100 working in Atlanta ‘will be affected’ with the company sure, at present, ‘it will not be possible to avoid redundancies for operational reasons.’ Further details are set to be announced by the company’s management at the end of the month.
“The management of Oechsler Motion regrets the discontinuation of production and, on behalf of the entire Oechsler Group, would like to thank all employees who have built up the Adidas Speedfactories with their great commitment,” an Oechsler statement supplied to TCT Magazine read. “Through the Speedfactories, we have gained valuable knowledge with state-of-the-art manufacturing processes, a foundation on which both Oechsler Motion and the Oechsler Group can and will continue to build. It is planned to reorganise the 3D printing team and thus anchor the Speedfactory know-how firmly in the company with colleagues from the Speedfactory production.”
