ASICS: Outpacing HR technology with a solution that goes the distance
Explore ASICS’ journey with SAP
ASICS is a pioneer in high-performance sportswear, with deep roots in its “Sound Mind, Sound Body” philosophy. When the iconic brand refocused from athletic pros to everybody everywhere, the HR organization had a pivotal role in this ambitious global mission. The company used SAP SuccessFactors solutions to turn its fragmented, siloed HR systems into a technology win.
| Industries | Region | Company Size |
| Consumer products and retail | Kobe, Japan | 10,000 employees |
retail staff empowered to use their own mobile devices for on-demand training.
standardized system for HR processes across regions, including training and recruiting.
Deputy General Manager, Human Resources Department, ASICS Corporation
Holding back potential for HR capabilities and employee connection
For nearly 75 years, ASICS has been synonymous with athletic sportswear. With US$3.30 billion in revenue, the company leads the way in sports technology, empowering athletes to perform at their best. From its first basketball shoe to modern-day sneakers, ASICS is always innovating.
As part of its evolution, the company recently expanded its performance-oriented focus to everybody living a happy and active life on the path to its 10-year vision to 2030. But ASICS’ fragmented, manual HR infrastructure was no match for its large-scale mission.
Each region had its own systems. HR policies were different. Processes were manual. Key data, such as headcounts, organizational structures, and workforce insights, wasn’t globally accessible. This resulted in inconsistent and poor data across HR. Without global standards and shared visibility, the company’s ability to achieve its objective was impeded.
The HR organization needed to transform its regional systems to one technology solution with global standardization, full visibility, and engagement to embrace the company’s new mission.
Turning siloed HR systems into a centralized global platform
To achieve this ambitious undertaking, HR at ASICS selected SAP SuccessFactors solutions. The cloud-based human resource management system (HRMS) had already proven its business value for a talent development project in the company’s Europe region.
Adopting SAP SuccessFactors supported the company’s 2030 initiative with a globally connected HR experience in a unified technology solution. The portfolio eliminated fragmented regional HR systems, policies, and manual processes, enabling ASICS to use global standardization across the company.
From a features perspective, the portfolio deployed talent management capabilities on a global scale. It’s empowering better business discussions through HR analytics insights, and it’s helping identify and develop talent for the organization with workforce planning. Now, ASICS is managing standardized performance evaluations, recruitment activities, training, headcount planning, and many other functions.
Optimizing HR productivity and elevating the employee connection
SAP SuccessFactors has been instrumental in bringing unmatched levels of efficiency and employee engagement to the HR team and workforce.
Building on this foundation, global HR now can quickly and intuitively create organization charts, determine division headcounts, and identify employee roles, as well as perform other key tasks in real time.
The ASICS workforce is evaluated on identical assessment criteria with its standardized global competency framework, leveling the playing field. Employees are also more empowered to control their career paths with support from managers, goal setting, and training.
Compliance and learning are now at a global scale, with HR visibility into participation and completion rates. Training through mobile apps allows deskless workers to take courses without classrooms or waiting for certification processing.
The recruitment experience is also more streamlined and automated. For example, evaluation criteria is embedded in the platform instead of stakeholders engaging offline.
Deputy General Manager, Human Resources Department, ASICS Corporation
Strengthening the HR organization to be future-ready
As ASICS moves toward bringing its 2030 vision to life, it continues to evolve with the changing business environment. To support that effort, it is partnering with SAP Preferred Success services to refine and advance its HR mission and strategy.
The company will continue to improve global processes using SAP SuccessFactors through new platform features. Its future goals include developing succession planning, cultivating a more robust talent culture, and quantitatively measuring its workforce efficiency impact.