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History of Adidas

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Critical Evaluation of the adidas group, in terms of its values, ethics and performance 1. Executive summary The adidas Group is globally the second largest manufacturer of sporting attire, controlling almost a quarter (22%) of the market compared to the 33% currently commanded by its biggest rival Nike1. Although a multinational company, it was founded originally in Germany and thus its central headquarters are situated in Herzogenaurach, and home to more than 2600 workers2. Furthermore worldwide the adidas group employs approximately 40,000 people and has grown to encompass a number of other brands such as Reebok, TaylorMade and Rockport. Its growth as a company is also reflected in its product range developing from simple footwear …show more content…

It enabled adidas products to become visible to a global audience and become known for their quality2. These principles allowed Dassler to dominate the shoe industry, enter new sports and develop a plethora of new sports equipment like handball balls and boxing glove2. Some of these feted athletes included Muhammed Ali, Sepp Herberger and Franz Beckbauer. At the beginning of the 1960’s Adolf passed the reins of Adidas AG group to his son Horst. He kept true to many of the company’s business principles instilled by his father and continued to oversee Adidas go from strength to strength (a global brand). However in 1987 Horst died unexpectedly and the family heirs decided to transform the company in to a corporation, which in 1989 lead them to eventually sell it2. It was at this point that the company entered in a short crisis period. This crisis was was epitomised by bad management from Frenchman Bernard Tapie and the stern emergent competition from rival companies like Nike and Reebok4. This short phase of poor performance was eventually broken in 1993 by French businessman Robert Louis-Dreyfus, who put a sustained effort in to revitalising the company1. He initiated some vital strategic decisions; including the flotation of adidas on the stock exchange and the acquisition of the Saloman Group. This included many large and profitable subsidiary groups, such as Saloman

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