Asics Corporation is scaling its global R&D footprint, committing $25 million to establish its first-ever American research facility. Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the Asics Institute of Sport Science (ISS) America marks a significant shift in the Japanese brand's strategy to localize innovation for its largest growth market. In partnership with the University of Michigan, the center will operate as the ‘Asics-Michigan Sport Innovation Center,’ uniting biomechanics, robotics, and AI-driven textile engineering to engineer the next generation of performance apparel and footwear.
Engineering the future of high-performance retail
This move is a cornerstone of the company’s Mid-Term Plan 2026, which prioritizes a ‘Global x Digital’ approach to reclaim leadership in the premium running category. By embedding researchers within the US sports ecosystem, Asics aims to reduce the product development cycle through rapid prototyping and real-time data from elite North American athletes. The facility will house a dedicated sports lab focused on bioengineering and AI-driven design, moving beyond traditional shoe-making into ‘human-centric science’ that analyzes how specific materials interact with the human nervous system and movement patterns.
Strategic market capture and financial resilience
The investment follows a period of robust fiscal health for the brand. Asics reported a 21.3 per cent global sales increase in late 2025, with North American net sales rising nearly 8 per cent Y-o-Y. As competition intensifies from digital-first entrants and established rivals, the Michigan hub provides a critical competitive moat. ‘Establishing this research entity in the United States—home to a key market for our future growth - is a source of great pride,’ states Mitsuyuki Tominaga, President and COO, Asics Corporation. The move is expected to drive operating margins toward a target of 17 per cent, leveraging high-margin performance lines like the Gel-Nimbus and Metaspeed series.
Asics is a leading designer of performance athletic footwear and apparel, operating across North America, Europe, and Asia. Under its 2026 growth roadmap, the company is targeting record operating income of 130 billion yen ($860 million approx.) by 17 per cent margin optimization. Founded in 1949 as Onitsuka Co, the brand remains synonymous with technical excellence in marathon running and core performance sports.
