Rab Launches Second Stitch Repair Service on a Global Level
UK outdoor brand Rab (owned by Equip Outdoor Technologies Ltd.) have taken their Second Stitch inhouse upcycling and turned it into an online repair service at a global level.
Rab have been operating a successful upcycling program at their UK Service Centre in conjunction with their factory shop for the last three years. Second Stitch is now available as an online repair option from Rab’s Service Centres in the UK, Netherlands and Canada, too.
Second Stitch is Rab’s lowest impact repair option. The service offers the same expert fixes as the brand’s long standing repairs service does, but with the exclusive use of recycled fabric and offcut materials. This reduces the waste of raw materials used in the production of new clothing while keeping existing gear in action for longer. Moreover, the contrasting fabrics and trims make these items completely unique. Finished with Rab’s exclusive Second Stitch badge, they represent a commitment to more sustainable choices.
The Rab Service Centres are an integral part of Equip’s sustainability strategy. As a certified Climate Neutral Company, they are aiming to reduce carbon emissions and reach Net Zero emissions by 2030. In 2021, Equip opened a centre in Leusden, The Netherlands, catering for consumers in Western and Central Europe. The company’s Canadian Services Centre opened in April 2022. USA and Norway centres will open later in 2022. As Equip’s recently published 2022 Sustainability Report outlines, the company repaired and washed over 13,000 items through their Service Centre in 2021, clear proof that many customers prefer a quality repair over a new warranty replacement.
Matt Clarke, Head of Customer Experience at Rab, explains: “Second Stitch gave our UK customers the opportunity to purchase uniquely repaired Rab products and show their commitment to a more sustainable way of using outdoor clothing. We’re happy that we’re now able to offer this service at a global level, so our community can have their gear repaired in the most sustainable way we possibly can.”
