STRATIC – A Journey into the Future

How can we say "back to square one" without implying that everything old is disappearing? Because that's certainly not the case at STRATIC – and yet everything is starting afresh. Over the past two years, the long-established company has successfully modernised and positioned itself for the future.

We spoke to our Managing Director, AXEL BREE, about it.

Bree himself loves travelling. It's his passion – a passion he also brings to the company. As we speak on the phone, he's on the road again. With STRATIC luggage, of course. He is drawing on decades of experience in the bag industry to modernise the quality brand STRATIC.

True to the slogan "Travel smarter every day", and with this goal in mind, STRATIC has entered into an innovative collaboration with the Munich tech start-up Imero. How did it come about, and what exactly is it about?

"We were looking for the next stage of development for STRATIC. We already had a mature product, but we also wanted to deliver a digital service. Through a personal contact, we then got to know the Munich company Imero," says Bree. "The aim was to use the simplest possible technology to take STRATIC luggage to the next level of innovation. It quickly became clear that the familiar NFC technology was exactly what could work for luggage too – and yet it was an absolute first in the travel market."

With this, STRATIC is launching its new and innovative STRATIC CONNECT concept – a brand of its own for the digital dimension of travelling with STRATIC luggage. In future, all suitcase series will be equipped with the NFC chip. The first series with this feature are STRAW+ and

LEATHER & MORE, with BENDIGO LIGHT+ and STRATIC LIGHT+ to follow soon. An absolute first on the luggage market.

Each chip has a unique ID that cannot be forged. This also makes it possible to manage the suitcases via an app and receive all the information you need about your luggage. In the encrypted app, customers get product and company information, a packing assistant and the option to create packing lists, and they can store their contact details for the "Lost and Found" check.

"The added value of this technology is that customers already know it. It's super easy to use and, above all, it doesn't need batteries or radio location systems. All you need is your smartphone, which you simply hold against the suitcase – just like the new payment functions that almost everyone already knows," Bree continues. "This gives STRATIC customers various functions: for example, the 'Lost&Found' function. A very important topic. If I lose my suitcase because I've left it somewhere, the finder can simply contact me by email."

A certificate of authenticity is stored on the chip, as is an entertainment section. In addition, all the suitcase's individual product data is stored, making the related service easier for customers too. In future, customers will be redirected to a dedicated service portal where they will receive all repair information directly.

As part of this expansion of its range and services, STRATIC also entered into a partnership with the travel magazine Merian in 2022. The result is a dedicated Merian suitcase with an NFC chip.

"This suitcase is a new highlight of our range. It impresses with its high-quality design and genuine digital innovation. Via the chip technology, buyers receive a free 12-month e-paper subscription to the travel magazine Merian," Bree says enthusiastically. "We're also currently working on the idea of delivering individual content. The goal is for our customers to arrive in Cairo, for example, hold their phone against the suitcase and then receive personalised travel information – a digital, individual travel guide included in their own suitcase."

STRATIC has been a quality leader for more than 75 years and is now proving that what already exists can be improved and extended with a digital dimension. A unique selling point and a journey into the future.