This new site houses 32 robots and is expected to increase the company’s global production capacity for LightSpray by 30 times in 2026.
The opening builds on the first plant in Zurich, Switzerland, which began operating last July with four robots.
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The latest development forms part of On’s strategy to scale its robot-sprayed footwear technology globally, with further growth planned in the coming years.
The South Korean factory marks a key phase in On’s efforts to establish large-scale automated shoe manufacturing.
The brand intends to expand production to other continents, specifically the Americas and Europe, as it aims for a network of regional LightSpray factories.
On co-founder Caspar Coppetti said: “The opening of our second LightSpray factory is a monumental milestone for us in mastering this advanced manufacturing process. I want to sincerely congratulate the tremendous effort and dedication of the entire team who made this possible.
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By GlobalData“LightSpray is a pinnacle example of how On continues to innovate through Swiss Engineering, dramatically changing the way we can create high-performance shoes with unmatched efficiency, sustainability, and performance results.”
On selected South Korea, due to its established expertise in robotics and automation, as well as its manufacturing infrastructure and partnerships in the region.
The company plans to expand its use of LightSpray from racing shoes to trainers, targeting a broader consumer base. It also intends to evaluate further applications for the technology across other categories and product launches throughout 2026.
The launch of the facility coincides with the debut of the LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper, the first product made at the new plant and featuring “Sprayed in Korea” on the inside sole.
According to On, this model will receive a limited release on on.com and through On retail outlets in North America starting 5 March 2026, before a wider global launch on 16 April 2026.
Since launching LightSpray in 2024, On has developed an operational framework for robot-driven shoe production without an existing blueprint for managing multiple robots or setting quality standards for automated processes.
On chief innovation officer, Scott Maguire said: “The beauty of LightSpray is that we can precisely programme each robot, whether in Zurich or Busan, to execute precisely choreographed movements to craft each shoe’s unique look and feel.
“The innovation remains distinctly On, distinctly Swiss—made for the world. South Korea represents the perfect territory to learn and implement learnings for our global expansion.”
