Arsutoria Magazine

DESMA and ABB: 40 years of automation serving the footwear industry

Four decades of collaboration between DESMA and ABB have transformed automation in the footwear industry. From the first robots adopted in the 1980s to today's solutions, the synergy focuses on efficiency, precision and sustainability for shoe manufacturers around the world.

Company news Arsutoria

July 2025

DESMA and ABB: 40 years of automation serving the footwear industry

Some partnerships don’t age: they evolve. The partnership between DESMA and ABB, which began in the 1980s, is one such partnership. Starting with the introduction of the first ABB robots adapted for footwear production, it has led to concrete results over time, thanks in part to important collaborations such as the one with adidas.

Today, after 40 years, the fruits of this alliance are clear: efficient automation, consistent quality, reduced use of materials and protection of operator health. Robots play a key role in key stages of production – from deburring to spraying release agents and applying adhesives – performing every task with surgical precision.

The goal? To offer footwear manufacturers around the world reliable and cost-effective solutions that strengthen industrial competitiveness.

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