The Iconic American Brands Are No Longer American

Based in Beaverton, OR, Nike stands as a global athleticwear behemoth, operating numerous factories abroad. Remarkably, a fifth of all Nikes originate from China, the brand’s second-biggest production hub, thanks to partnerships with 180 manufacturers, employing over 210,000 workers. Vietnam leads production, with significant contributions from Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Japan, and Brazil.

Nike and Adidas have been scaling back their manufacturing footprint in China. From 2012 to now, the share of Nikes produced in China plummeted from 32% to 19%. While Nike hasn’t disclosed the underlying reasons, this strategic pivot reflects a significant shift in their production strategy.