The paint has dried, we’re all moved in and the new adidas Group China Shanghai Office is buzzing with excitement. This week, we had three very special guests visit us here in our new office.

adidas Group CEOThe Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a company is the highest-ranking corporate officer and in charge of total management of an organisation., Herbert Hainer and Chief Sales Officer, Consumer Direct, Michael Stanier were in Shanghai this week for various business meetings with the management team, VIP customers and retail visits. On top of that, they attended two big company events – the grand opening of the adidas Group China Shanghai Office and our All Employee Meeting. Joining Herbert and Michael was a very special guest – NBA superstar Dwight Howard of the Los Angeles Lakers.

On our way on Route 2015Route 2015 is the Strategic Business Plan for 2015 that aims at growing the business of the entire adidas Group to € 17 billion by 2015. This plan is the most comprehensive business plan the adidas Group has ever prepared, incorporating all brands, sales channels and Group functions globally. It is our road to success: our Route 2015.

Unique and modern interior of the new office which is a milestone for our Route 2015 strategy.

Located in Shanghai’s bustling Puxi commercial and retail district, the new office features an increase in office and meeting space and improved office technology, offering employees a more collaborative work environment. The expanded office will enable us to realize our long-term business plans as we move forward with our Route 2015Route 2015 is the Strategic Business Plan for 2015 that aims at growing the business of the entire adidas Group to € 17 billion by 2015. This plan is the most comprehensive business plan the adidas Group has ever prepared, incorporating all brands, sales channels and Group functions globally. It is our road to success: our Route 2015. strategy, an ambitious plan to expand capabilities and grow the company into the leading sportswear brand in the country. Our goal is to be in 1,400 lower-tier cities by 2015, strengthen our position in key categories such as football and running, and maintain annual double-digit growth through 2015. In the two years since the strategy was launched, we’ve expanded our coverage to 350 new cities and currently operate over 7,000 retail stores across 900 cities. We’ve seen tremendous growth in recent years and our first-half results showed a 19% increase in China. The new office is a milestone for the Route 2015Route 2015 is the Strategic Business Plan for 2015 that aims at growing the business of the entire adidas Group to € 17 billion by 2015. This plan is the most comprehensive business plan the adidas Group has ever prepared, incorporating all brands, sales channels and Group functions globally. It is our road to success: our Route 2015. strategy and will serve as an important stepping stone toward reaching our goals.

Herbert Hainer speaking to 700 Chinese employees during the All Employee Meeting.

On Tuesday evening, we held our official grand office opening party, a fun and lively cocktail event attended by high level government officials, VIP customers and partners and media. A traditional Chinese ceremony would not be complete without an auspicious lion dance which brings good health and prosperity to all. According to tradition, one must dot the lion’s eyes first before the dance to awaken them. At our ceremony, we had 5 lions, each representing the five Chinese elements: fire, water, earth, wood and metal. Ending the ceremony, we held an official ribbon cutting followed by an office tour where Herbert and Michael were greeted by employees to share a toast.

A surprise guest that made 700 employees leap to their feet

The next day Herbert and Michael attended our All Employee Meeting where they together with Colin Currie, Managing DirectorMDMD stands for Managing Director. stands for Managing Director. of adidas Group, Greater China presented engaging updates to all attendees.

Special guest Dwight Howard also attended the opening ceremony.

We also had a special appearance by Dwight Howard. It’s not every day that one of NBA’s greatest players attends our all employee meeting, so our staff members were incredibly excited to see him walk into the room as his appearance had been kept a secret. It was a sight to see 700 employees jump up, cheering and clapping for Dwight. The room lit up with hundreds of phones in the air as employees took pictures of the NBA star. Dwight took the stage with Jens Meyer, Director of Marketing for Sport Performanceadidas Sport Performance offers products in most sports categories. The key focus categories are: Football, Basketball, Running, Training and Outdoor. Everything at adidas Sport Performance reflects the spirit of our founder, Adi Dassler. The main objective is simple: make athletes better. Therefore, innovation is at the core of all adidas Sport Performance products. The target consumers are clearly those consumers who call themselves athletes, are active in sport, or simply are inspired by and love sport. for a fun interactive session.

This was Michael’s first employee meeting with over 700 employees in China. As of July 1st of this year, Greater China has a direct reporting line to Michael. Under Michael Stanier’s leadership, adidas Group China will receive expert experience to support us to achieve our Route 2015Route 2015 is the Strategic Business Plan for 2015 that aims at growing the business of the entire adidas Group to € 17 billion by 2015. This plan is the most comprehensive business plan the adidas Group has ever prepared, incorporating all brands, sales channels and Group functions globally. It is our road to success: our Route 2015. targets.

Herbert Hainer and Michael Stanier are receiving their custom-made jade seals of a sculpted dragon.

To commemorate the occasion, we held a symbolic handover ceremony, featuring traditional Chinese elements. Both Herbert and Michael were gifted with beautiful, custom-made jade seals of a sculpted dragon. This is the Year of the Dragon and traditionally in China, the dragon represents power and vitality. In addition, we commissioned a painting by famed Chinese artist Fan YiBin which was unveiled at the handover ceremony after both Herbert and Michael used their new seals to chop the painting, symbolizing their best wishes to adidas Group China. The painting is a beautiful illustration of nine fish. The number nine symbolizes longevity and fish symbolize abundance. This painting will be hung in our new office as a souvenir and a sign of good luck.

It’s truly been an eventful week for the adidas Group Greater China.