AUSTRALIAN ROB SCHLIPPER, who’s a frequent traveler, spent an uncomfortable night in a train running through Morocco, with him trying to sleep on top of his bag in order to protect it from thieves.
He thought, why not put wire mesh around his bag to seal it. Necessity breeds innovation, indeed. It was in 1998 when Mr. Schlipper, whose background is in engineering, came up with the idea. He called his old-time travel buddy, Magnus Mcglashan, who was a graduate of marketing, to discuss the potential of the product. After months of fine-tuning, the two Australian mates launched Pacsafe.
Pacsafe is a bag brand known for its anti-theft properties: it’s a travel-proof bag that carries things—passports, money, cards—and keeps them safe through features such as turn-and-lock hook systems, security clips, locking cables and lockable zip sliders, and slash guards.
“I’ve lost passports many times. My walkman got stolen. I’ve lost many important things while in transit,” said Mr. Schlipper, who was in the country on Sept. 6 together with Mr. Mcglashan to celebrate Pacsafe’s 20 years in the market.
The brand has evolved over time, incorporating radio frequency identification (RFID)-blocking technology that prevents identity theft.
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Pacsafe introduces 18 new styles for its latest collection, which includes backpacks, messengers, slings, totes, luggages, briefcases, and wallets. The colorways for this season are army green, dark blue, and light blue.
“Whether it’s bags that work as portable safes, backpacks that are easy to lock yet hard to break into, or wallets that help prevent RFID scan scams, it’s all designed to keep your mind at ease when out in the world so you can do more, see more, and be more,” Mr. McGlashan said in a statement.
Pacsafe is available in Glorietta 5, SM Mall of Asia, SM Cebu, SM North Edsa, SM Lanang, Ayala Centrio, and other major department stores and multibrand chains. The brand is distributed in the Philippines by the United Limsun International Trading Corp. — Nickky Faustine P. de Guzman

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