a mission for traceable materials

With objectives to trace all products and materials across apparel, footwear, and accessories divisions, adidas had to ensure that the traceability solution could cover large amounts of data, meaning a digital, automated, and scalable solution. With many transactions and data points from multiple systems, manual data entry was not an option.

adidas use Real Time Trace from TrusTrace which integrates with their systems including the PLM, Purchase Order System, and other Supplier Management systems. Besides seamless and automated data flows, the integrations also ensure data quality, as the data is continually updated. The system captures last minute changes to designs or purchase orders. adidas and the TrusTrace Business Services team also worked in tandem to onboard hundreds of suppliers and get them familiar with how to share documentation on TrusTrace within the first months.

Within the first four months of operating the platform, adidas was quick and efficient to scale the solution. Together we traced more than 1 million transactions covering 10,000 materials and styles across 8000 facilities. Subsequently, adidas continues to record millions of data transactions monthly.

Using material traceability data, adidas has achieved better visibility and control of their supply chain data, and can ensure that compliance needs are met. adidas collects all the supply chain data in real time as the materials flow through the value chain, meaning that the final product has all the data attached to it when it arrives on the market.

With this data, adidas checks the finished product vs. the original design/purchase order, ensuring that everything has been produced as planned, and can then easily provide evidence for product or material claims. Through a strong focus internally and in collaboration with their suppliers, adidas was able to implement and scale the traceability program within months.