In 2025, we approach the 10th anniversary of KIWEE. Our mindset has shifted. We see KIWEE, including our products and our business partners, as part of a long-lasting, non-disposable system. Before we make any move, we think it through, set our standards, test them, and take our time. It’s all about building sustainability into everything we do.
For example, we aim for our bags to have a long life cycle as shown below.
As we always tell ourselves and our clients, we don’t need too many bags for each purpose. Instead, buy fewer bags and use them for longer. To fulfill this will, we design a fine load-bearing structure to pass the extreme-user-heavy-duty test, which includes:
In the sewing area of straps and handles, we put several extra layers of strengthened mesh layer to reinforce the structure, so that all of the bags could pass this Oscillation Impact Test (the term of the load bearing test), which follows our own standard.
All the key parts that we apply are strictly selected from reliable brands, like YKK and Duraflex. So that we could make sure all parts’ quality is aligned and well controlled. We ensure KIWEE bags are designed to last.
Bags are like everything else in our lives. After years of usage, they wear out gradually. In most cases, we can lengthen their lives. We have two magical and sophisticated ladies who could fix most bags.
Since 2019, we’ve offered a 10-year repair service. We receive bags from customers for repairs every month. So, if your KIWEE bag ever cracks or wears out, just send us a photo. We’ll provide guidance on the next steps, whether that’s sending you parts for self-repair or offering a fair cost for a professional fix. Some of these send-back bags were from our first collection in 2016. It’s always cheerful to see our customers using KIWEE bags for almost 10 years.
The bag business is a conventional business that requires a lot of labor. A sustainable business is one that treats people as people, not as machines. One principle for us to choose suppliers, besides their products’ quality, is whether their employees enjoy the working environment there. During our recent visit to Lu An Sewing Factory in December 2024, we found that workers finish their day jobs around 5 pm, ensuring they have time to pick up their kids at school and prepare dinners at home, just like you and me. From our side, we don’t push our suppliers for harsh lead times. We set up a quality check reward instead of a penalty. In return, we harvest better quality products and easier working conditions for workers. We visit our key suppliers on a quarterly basis to check both product quality and working conditions.
To make KIWEE live long and prosper, there are yet tasks to be accomplished.
