On brings shoe manufacturing to Zurich

(CONNECT) On is now manufacturing high-quality running shoes at its headquarters in Zurich. The new production site was inaugurated on 2 July 2025. According to a statement from the premium sports brand, it is the first site worldwide to use On's LightSpray technology. Further production facilities in various countries around the world are reportedly in the planning stages.

LightSpray technology can produce ultra-light, one-piece shoe uppers in just three minutes in a single-stage, fully automated process using a robot arm and 1.5 kilometers of filament. Four of these robots are in use in Zurich. In contrast, traditional manufacturing involves 200 steps and various locations, from yarn production to final assembly. The new technology is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 75 per cent.

The technology was developed, programmed and brought to maturity by an interdisciplinary team of around 20 employees in Zurich after four years of development work. Of the 1,100 employees currently working at the Zurich headquarters, over 300 are involved in research and development.

“We’re incredibly proud to have achieved this milestone in the On and LightSpray™ story,” On co-founder Caspar Coppetti is quoted as saying. “It’s innovations like this, developed and perfected by our Zurich-based teams, that have helped us from the very beginning to earn our global success.”

To mark the start of LightSpray production, On is opening its On Labs to the public. Viewings of the robots can be made until 6 July. Workshops and panel discussions are also on the agenda. ce/mm