Employees
At the adidas Group, we know that our people are crucial to our success. Becoming the global leader in the sporting goods industry depends on the performance, potential, enthusiasm and dedication of our employees. We promote a performance culture and therefore link employee compensation to Group and individual achievements. We aim to develop our employees with opportunities for career progression, while striving to promote a culture that celebrates our diversity and promotes global mobility.
EXPANSION OF GLOBAL EMPLOYEE BASE CONTINUES
On
December 31, 2007, the Group had 31,344 employees, which
represents an increase of 19 % versus the previous year’s
level
of 26,376. This development is primarily related to new
employees in the adidas segment in emerging markets as
well as own-retail
activities. Personnel expenses increased
18 % to € 1.279 billion in 2007 from € 1.087 billion in 2006,
see Note 25 representing 30 % of the Group’s total operating expenses (2006: 29 %) and 12 % of Group sales (2006: 11 %).
ADIDAS SEGMENT DRIVES EMPLOYEE GROWTH
The development
of our employee numbers varied significantly from a
brand perspective. The number of employees at the adidas
brand increased 25 % to 18,678 at the end of 2007 (2006:
14,906), mainly driven by the brand’s strong expansion, especially
in own retail and in the emerging markets of Eastern
Europe (e.g. Russia),
Asia and Latin America. Staff at Reebok
declined 11 %, attributable to a shift in the workforce to the
Group functions and adidas brand as well as the elimination of
duplicative positions. Hence, the Reebok segment comprised
6,751 employees at year-end (2006: 7,545). At TaylorMade-adidas
Golf, the number of employees increased by 2 % to
1,393 (2006: 1,368). The number of employees working in our
Group functions increased sharply by 77 % to 4,522 (2006:
2,552). The main reason for this development was the expansion
of the Sports Licensed Division to a cross-brand corporate
license department, including licensed products from brand
adidas (e.g. NBA jerseys) and Reebok (e.g. NHL and NFL
jerseys).
Excluding this effect, employment within our Group
functions increased 23 %.
GLOBAL MOBILITY ACTIVELY PROMOTED
Our employees work
at more than 150 locations around the world. We actively
encourage
global mobility and offer our employees the opportunity
to go on international assignments. At the end of 2007,
47 % of our staff was employed in Europe (2006: 42 %), 31 % in
North America (2006: 35 %), 18 % in Asia (2006: 19 %) and 4 % in
Latin America (2006: 4 %). To support relocating professionals
and their families in new living and working environments,
we
provide, for example, relevant language and cultural training.
|
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 1) |
|
 |
| 1) | At year-end. |
| 2) | Figures reflect continuing operations as a result of the divestiture of the Salomon business segment. |
| 3) | Including Reebok business. |
|
EMPLOYEES BY SEGMENT |
|
 |
|
EMPLOYEES BY REGION |
|
 |
