Reebok 2006 Annual Report Download - page 74

› Structure and StrategyGroup Management Report ›
070 ANNUAL REPORT 2006 › adidas Group ›
Divisional R&D Structure at Reebok
Within the Reebok segment, the Reebok, Reebok-CCM
Hockey and Rockport divisions run separate R&D teams due
to the different product offering of each. At brand Reebok,
the R&D team creates footwear, apparel and equipment with
the primary focus being the enhancement of fit and com-
fort for the consumer. The main goal of this R&D team is to
develop product that provides a perfect fit for the consumer
based on function, aesthetics and value. The R&D team at
Reebok-CCM Hockey is dedicated to continuously creat-
ing innovative state-of-the-art hockey equipment used by
both professional and recreational players. Rockport’s R&D
function primarily focuses on developing insole components
of footwear while incorporating the Group’s advanced pro-
prietary athletic footwear and also industry-leading propri-
etary technologies into the outsole of both casual and dress
shoes. R&D at all Reebok divisions includes a development/
engineering team as well as a design and commercializa-
tion team, a human performance laboratory and a prototype
sampling group with the product marketing teams in each
strategic business unit. Major projects involve extensive
biomechanical, fit, wear and materials testing and include
collaborative tests with athletes. To further increase com-
petitiveness, Reebok’s divisional R&D teams are extending
own R&D activities while significantly reducing the utiliza-
tion of R&D expertise purchased from external parties. The
teams, however, continue to work in partnership with con-
tracted manufacturers to share R&D resources. The Reebok
R&D teams developed several important technologies to be
used in 2007 products including the Kinetic Fit System (KFS),
THE PUMP™ 2.0 custom fit technology, DMX footwear cush-
ioning, PlayDry moisture management and the Rbk EDGE
Uniform System™.
Industry-Leading R&D at TaylorMade-adidas Golf
Experts widely believe that success in the golf market is
primarily determined by the ability to constantly introduce
and commercialize innovative performance technologies
and products. TaylorMade-adidas Golf continually strives to
adhere to that tenet by designing and developing industry-
leading equipment, utilizing an array of sophisticated tools
to improve existing technologies and introduce revolutionary
new ones. Before products are brought to market, the R&D
team conducts extensive testing activities including frequent
and thorough input and feedback from tour professionals.
In addition to undertaking own R&D activities and utiliz-
ing the ait’s know-how in adidas Golf footwear and apparel,
TaylorMade-adidas Golf also purchases external hardware
expertise amounting to 20% of the total R&D expenditure
at the brand. Examples of this include 3-D animation tech-
nology used in the MATT system and ultra-thin driver cast-
ing capabilities to cast driver walls less than 0.8 millimeters
thick. 2007 golf equipment technologies and products devel-
oped by the innovation teams of TaylorMade-adidas Golf or
adidas include TaylorMade’s Movable Weight Technology™,
Inverted Cone Technology, AGSI (Anti-Skid Groove System
Insert) Technology, the Maxfli Fire, Maxfli Tour Fire and Maxfli
PowerMAX golf balls, and adidas Golf’s ClimaCool® and Clima
Compression apparel technologies.
Main Activities Location
adidas Global Development Herzogenaurach,
Center (ait) Germany
Global Development Portland/Oregon,
Center (ait) USA
Global Testing Scheinfeld,
Center (ait) Germany
Asian Design & Shanghai,
Development Center China
Reebok Global Development & Canton/Massachusetts,
Testing Center USA
Reebok-CCM Development & Testing Montreal/Quebec,
Hockey Center Canada
Development & Testing Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu/
Center Quebec, Canada
Rockport Global Development & Canton/Massachusetts,
Testing Center USA
TaylorMade- Global Development & Carlsbad/California,
adidas Golf Testing Center USA
Major R&D Locations and Activities