Brand Focus: Secrid
Originally forming as a design agency in the 1990s, the financial crisis of 2008 had led the company then called Spirid to the verge of bankruptcy. All scheduled projects had been cancelled and significant downsizing was a necessity. Supported by loans from family and friends, the decision was made later that year to cease all previous activities of the agency and switch focus to the development of their own product, the "best cardholder in the world" and a successor to a much earlier project called the "Bodycard". The now widely recognised Cardprotector launched in 2009 under the new Secrid name amidst a flurry of press attention, being the only product on the market at the time offering RFID protection.
Buoyed by the initial popularity and success of the Cardprotector, Secrid began to diversify their product offering with the introduction of the "Miniwallet" in 2010; the original Cardholder design was enveloped with a responsibly and locally sourced leather case featuring button fastening and room was added for a further four cards. The "Slim" wallet was also soon added, bringing the more premium finish of the Mini to those interested in a slightly less obtrusive design without the button fastening. To create each new design, the founders René and Marianne continued to merge their backgrounds in fashion and engineering and would go on to receive the acclaim of the Red Dot Design award in 2010.
Throughout the history of the Secrid brand, ethical and social responsibility has been a primary concern of the founders when looking to the future. The entire production cycle is centred in the Netherlands, eliminating the need for cheaper mass production in countries with lower standards of labour, the environment and product quality. A care and repair programme has been established, encouraging customers to find a local repair shop or send their wallet back to the brand rather than simply buying a replacement. Blending stylish looks, engineering excellence with a sustainable manufacturing process has allowed Secrid to grow substantially up to this point and to continue in the future.
