Durability is part of our dna
At Fristads, quality is the foundation of everything we offer. And by quality, we don’t just mean durability. To us, a truly high-quality garment is one that workers choose day after day because it combines long-lasting strength with comfort, function, and design that supports them in their work. Our founder John Magnuson always said that “twice the durability is half the price” and that’s a motto that we live by to this day.
According to the British non-profit Waste and Resources Action Programme, extending the life of a garment by just nine months reduces its environmental footprint by 20% in terms of carbon, water and waste. The most sustainable garment is of course the one that is never made – but the next best garment is the one that lasts. That is why longevity is built into everything we do.
At Fristads, quality isn’t just a box we tick – it’s something we work on every single day. We have been ISO 9001:2015 certified since 1999, which means that we are committed to constant improvement in everything we do. Our goal is simple: make sure every garment lives up to its full potential and gives our users maximum value. That mindset runs through the whole process – from smart design and carefully chosen fabrics and trims to how we handle feedback and claims. To us, quality is never “done,” it is something we keep building on, step by step.
Every new garment begins with a design – and at Fristads, durability is a design goal. We always aim to use the best possible fabrics and components and only choose a more sustainable material if it meets our strict quality standards. Design details like reinforced seams and durable zippers ensure that our garments can stand up against heavy wear and tear in demanding environments.
To make sure our products meet the highest standards, we carry out extensive testing. In our own laboratory in Borås, Sweden, we test properties such as abrasion resistance, tear strength, tensile strength, pilling, colour fastness, and dimensional stability. Garments are also put through industrial laundry tests, washed up to 50 times, to simulate real-life conditions. As a final step, new and updated products go through user trials before they are released to the market. This rigorous process ensures durability, functionality, and comfort – all hallmarks of Fristads quality.
Long-term supplier relationships are another cornerstone of our quality work. We collaborate closely with our suppliers to make sure they fully understand and follow our standards. Materials, seams, and technical specifications are checked throughout the production process to minimise deviations. We have also trained suppliers to carry out final inspections before products leave the factory, with Fristads’ quality controllers conducting random spot checks to ensure that the products live up to our customers’ expectations.
Even with rigorous testing, we know there is always room for improvement. Our Claims department and Quality Control team follow up on every issue that customers report, using a structured system to identify issues and prevent them from happening again. Thanks to the feedback from our customers, we are continuously improving our products. Our current target is to keep claims below 400 parts per million – a level that reflects our ambition to deliver long-lasting, reliable workwear. By designing garments that stand the test of time, we support professionals in their work while also reducing environmental impact.
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