ASICS TO OPEN NEW PRODUCT CREATION STUDIO IN BOSTON

Footwear manufacturer Asics will establish its latest Product Creation Studio in Boston. The 25,000-square-foot space, which is set to open this summer, will be located near South Station. The Boston office of IA Interior Architects has been chosen to create the interior design of the studio. The brand already has an existing Global Digital Hub that opened in spring 2016, along with headquarters in Irvine, California. Some employees from Irvine will move to the new Boston office.

Key members of Asics’ executive leadership team will be based in Boston, including Andrew Richard, vice president of North American Commerce; former Under Armour executive David Ayers, who serves as the vice president of Apparel Merchandising; and Craig Gillian, GM of Digital Commerce, among others. In total, the studio will have about 50 employees.

“As this industry continues to evolve dramatically, it is crucial for our brand to be represented on both coasts in the U.S.  At the dynamic crossroads of innovation and sport, Boston is that place for us on the East Coast,” said Gene McCarthy, president and CEO, Asics America Corporation. “There is incredible energy behind this brand right now – we have the right people, in the right places to drive our business and our industry forward not only in the Americas, but globally as well.”

“I am thrilled to welcome Asics, a global brand with a rich history of innovation, to the City of Boston,” added Boston Mayor Martin Walsh. “With a vibrant, highly educated and tech-savvy workforce, Boston is fast becoming a destination for companies seeking to be a part of that culture. I look forward to Asics being a major contributor to Boston.”