The sneaker business is international, and so are its bases. Where a brand chooses to set up shop sets the tone for company culture and provides the means for a meeting place to create the shoes we know and love. Whether you\u2019re an industry hopeful or just a casual wearer, it’s good to know a thing or two about where your favorite shoe companies get their business done. Read on to get a view and a rundown of where the major players in the footwear realm keep their headquarters.<\/p>\n
adidas Group<\/strong> keeps their home base in Deutschland, on the grounds of the former Herzo military base. In the country where founder Adi Dasssler made his first shoes in 1920 at the age of 20, adidas has over 3,200 employees from 50 different nations working in their world headquarters. Right on site, the three stripes have a full-sized stadium, the Adi Dassler Sportplatz, which has room for 2,100 spectators and is used for official events, soccer tournaments, and product testing. On top of the stadium in their World of Sports, employees have access to a full-size basketball court, tennis court, a synthetic turf pitch, beach volleyball, and an extravagant gym. A life-size statue of Dassler is stationed in the stands at the Sportplatz, overlooking all of the action.<\/p>\n adidas is constantly evolving their world headquarters campus. Now on the grounds is a new office building, nicknamed “Laces.” Designed to portray the image of a pair of intertwined shoelaces, the newest building features catwalks in the Atrium that connect the ring-shaped building, which offers quicker access to different parts of the establishment. Right next door is also an improved adidas Factory Outlet store, offering everything from the brand in one place. Just as they have continued to progress their products, adidas has always kept home base clean.<\/p>\n adidas “Laces” Headquarters\n adidas Sportsplatz\n adidas Sportplatz Adi Dassler statue\n adidas Factory Outlet\n <\/p>\n Converse<\/strong>, a subsidiary of Nike, currently has its world headquarters nestled in North Andover, Massachusetts. Just as the brand’s business, the establishment is quiet and traditional, yet productive. Now almost entirely a lifestyle footwear line, Converse does not have athletic equipment and a gluten free cafe – just offices and meeting rooms that tastefully honor the brand’s history and keep pumping out All Stars.<\/p>\n Operations have been smooth in North Andover, but Chuck Taylors are coming back to the Boston Garden, and not on Bob Cousy or Bill Russell. Converse has decided to relocate its world headquarters to Boston on a wharf right next to the TD Boston Garden in 2015 after a large remodeling project. Even though it is moving into new digs in a new location, Converse is sure to stick to its roots.<\/p>\n Converse Headquarters\n Converse Headquarters\n <\/p>\n Always a brand known for its loyalty to the United States, New Balance<\/strong> has its world headquarters in Brighton, Massachusetts. Although known for their classic silhouettes, they are giving their home base a complete makeover. Starting this year, NB is doing a $500 million development that will include offices, restaurants, a hotel, and a sports complex for everything from ice hockey to tennis. The sports complex will span over 345,000 square feet, and will be open to the public and local athletic groups, as well as the 660 employees.<\/p>\n New Balance wants their new castle to be eye-catching, even from the highway that runs alongside. Perfectly playing the tune of its roots, the new office building is designed to mimic the shape of a running shoe.<\/p>\nConverse: North Andover, Massachusetts<\/h3>\n Future Boston Converse Headquarters\n
New Balance: Brighton, Massachusetts<\/h3>\n Future New Balance Headquarters\n