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Freitag was started by brothers Markus and Daniel Freitag 1993, both are graphic designers. They wanted to make a postal/messenger bag that was water resistant and functional. The first model they made is exactly one with these properties, called the "messenger". It is a model that still exists in their range of products today. The are bags made from recycled materials. They make use of truck tarpaulins, bicycle tubes, seat belts and airbags. When it's time for the trucks to replace their tarpaulins Freitag buy them. The more colorful the better. Tarpaulins usually weigh between 600 and 900 grams per square meter. These consist of a strong, resistant fabric with PVC on both sides. When they buy the materials they have already been used/consumed in a particular area, which means they are broken or are more or less worn. The idea of the bag is that it will have a design that maes it look worn, already in the stores. They make harnesses from recycled seat belts and the bicycle tubes will become trim. Freitag started on a small scale but today the company has about 80 employees. They are some of the last companies to have their production still in Zurich. The production of a bags starts at their factory in Zurich. The tarpaulins are firstly washed in large washing machines, later they are brushed so that they become flat. No bags will have the same design, this is prevented when the plant puts out transparent templates to see how the pattern be constructed and in a manner so that no one looks the same. The material is later cut out by hand.
The bag materials are later sent to one of the factories Freitag uses in Switzerland, France, Portugal and Tunisia. They specialize in sewing a bit heavier and thicker materials. When the product comes back to Zurich it is checked, and then every single one is different photographed, then sent out to the stores. Freitag bags can be found in 300 stores around the world. They also have a flagship store in Zurich, where they have remained the same re-cycling concept and let it be built of stacked containers to give visitors a unique experience.
Today, Freitag offers 40 different products and even if there will be more products to meet new demands, their concepts, materials and manufacturing process will be the same.
Freitag is clear about what social and ethical responsibility they have in terms of production. It is also important for them to demonstrate exactly how their products are being produced. They are aware of the importance of that customers can have a say in deciding how the final product will be since they offer the customer to design their own bag. When they choose to produce products that are all unique, it means that they get an added value, which also makes them more durable and timeless in their appearance and design.