Halfar

What Halfar does

Halfar System GmbH is a Bielefeld, Germany-based bag manufacturer founded in 1986 by Armin Halfar. Originally launched from the founder's experience as a paramedic producing a better emergency bag than conventional options, the company now operates two horizontal product divisions. The Promotional Bags division supplies customizable backpacks, shoppers, laptop bags, coolers, drawstring bags, organizers, and lorry-tarp bags for B2B buyers using them as trade-fair giveaways, conference merchandise, and corporate branded items. The Technical Bags division produces custom-made bags and strap systems for emergency services, military, police, and equipment manufacturers under compliance standards including REACH, LFGB, RoHS, VDA, CALIFORNIA P65, and MDR.

Underlying technology centres on functional materials (Cordura, recycled PET, organic cotton, tarpaulin, polyamide, mono-material textiles) processed through sewing, welding, thermoforming, printing, embroidery, and the proprietary HALFAR FAST LANE decoration technique. 3D printing was introduced in 2023 for prototype development. The business model is B2B unit-pricing with volume discounts, plus decoration services (screen printing, transfer printing, embroidery, digital printing, metal badges, doming) available for orders of 50+ items. Distribution combines direct sales through an account system with Mollie-powered subscriptions, a partner/reseller programme, and a global e-commerce platform.

Halfar is a privately-held GmbH with 101-250 employees, founder/family-owned with no disclosed institutional investment or M&A activity. The company has built a substantial sustainability and certification moat: ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, GOTS (since 2017), GRS (since 2021), OEKO-TEX, Fairtrade, ClimatePartner (since 2023), EcoVadis Silver (2025), amfori BSCI (since 2009), and ÖKOPROFIT (since 2012). Documented enterprise customers include Lorenz (Crunchips), GIZEH, and HELLA, with award-winning customised products dating back to 2017. Operations are anchored at the Bielefeld headquarters featuring a modern logistics centre, photovoltaics, wood pellet heating, and an in-house screen printing operation (prosigno GmbH) employing 17 people with inclusive employment practices.

Name

Halfar

Legal name

Halfar System GmbH

Website

https://en.halfar.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Halfar System GmbH is a German B2B manufacturer of customizable promotional bags and custom technical bags, founded 1986 in Bielefeld, serving brand marketers, emergency services, military, and equipment OEMs with certified sustainable textile solutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Promotional and Technical Bags Manufacturing

NAICS

Textile Bag and Canvas Mills (314910)

SIC

Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300)

akta.pro primary industry

Sports, Outdoor & Adventure Packs Manufacturing (Backpacks/Duffels) (IMAOAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Outdoor Travel Gear (Duffels, Packs, Dry Bags) Retail (CRAMAAAI), Backpacks & Travel Bags (CRAAAJAB)

Keywords

• Promotional bags
• Technical bags
• Custom backpacks
• Logo decoration
• Tailor-made textiles

Headquarters

HQ city

Bielefeld

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Promotional Bags: Standard stock bags sold to business customers with customization options for branding and logo printing. Volume pricing tiers available.
2. Technical Bags: Custom-made technical bags and strap systems developed in close cooperation with customers. Produced for special applications including emergency services, device transport, protective cases, and tool bags. Small quantities available depending on complexity.
3. Logo Finishing Services: Logo printing and finishing services including screen printing, transfer printing, embroidery, digital printing, metal badges, doming, and HALFAR FAST LANE applied to bags

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Halfar System GmbH designs, produces, decorates and markets customizable bags and backpacks for business customers. The company operates two core divisions: a Promotional Bags line offering stock backpacks, shoppers, laptop bags, coolers, drawstring bags and organizers that can be branded via in-house printing/embroidery services, and a Technical Bags line that develops custom-made bag and strap solutions for emergency services, device transport, protective cases and tool organization. All products can be finished with multiple decoration techniques and are offered with sustainability-certified materials such as recycled PET and organic cotton.

Product overview

Halfar System GmbH is a German bag manufacturer based in Bielefeld, founded in 1986, offering two core product divisions: Promotional Bags and Technical Bags. The Promotional Bags division provides customizable bags and backpacks for branding and marketing purposes, including backpacks (BASIC, EXPLORE, BREEZE, METRO, KURIER, MOLLE, SOLID, FASHION, PREMIUM, EXPERT, EUROPE series), shoppers and tote bags (ORGANIC, MONO, DAILY, SOFTBASKET, LIFE series), laptop bags and sleeves, cool bags and coolers (BOTTLE, SPORT, SOLUTION, FAMILY XL), drawstring bags (ORGANIC, FLASH, JOIN, REFLEX, EARTH), and organizers (ModernClassic, PROFESSIONAL). The Technical Bags division offers custom-made bags for specialized applications including emergency bags for rescue forces, device bags for technology equipment, protective bags, transport bags, and tool bags. Both divisions support logo decoration services including screen printing, transfer printing, embroidery, metal badges, doming, and HALFAR FAST LANE branding. Products are available with various sustainability certifications including GOTS organic cotton, GRS recycled materials, and OEKO-TEX. The company emphasizes climate neutrality through ClimatePartner certification.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HALFAR®: The primary brand name for promotional bags and technical bags. Trademarked with ® symbol. The brand stands for special quality, creativity and comprehensive customer service.

Products and services

• Promotional Bags

Quantifiable outcome

• EcoVadis Silver Award 2025 - ranked in top 15% of 282 companies evaluated in travel goods and handbags industry
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ClimatePartnercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023ClimatePartner certified company since 2023. Collaboration includes calculating Corporate Carbon Footprint based on GHG Protocol and ISO standards, defining reduction targets, implementing reductions, and financing climate protection projects. Climate-ID page available at https://www.climate-id.com/de/G765H1
• Alliance for Development and ClimateminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Foundation launched by German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in 2018. Committed to integrating climate protection strategies with development potential and advancing UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• IHK Climate Initiative OWLminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Regional alliance promoting climate protection and engaging committed businesses in OWL (Ostwestfalen-Lippe). Halfar active member since 2022. Initiative aims to demonstrate economic growth and climate protection can be achieved simultaneously.
• B.A.U.M. e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Federal German Working Group for Environmentally Conscious Management. Member of B.A.U.M. support group since 2017. Network for sustainable economy with almost 800 members representing sustainable companies at national and European levels.
• prosigno GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Integration company of Werkhaus founded November 2012, located at Halfar's main site. Screen printing shop specialising in printing advertising bags with 17 employees. Creates inclusive jobs with transition opportunities to primary labour market. Produces on 700 sq metres using latest technology with photovoltaic system and water-soluble printing inks.
• ÖKOPROFITminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Environmental management certification programme. Halfar certified since 2012. 4th recertification celebrated in 2023 as one of 14 companies.
• amfori BSCIcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Business Social Compliance Initiative. HALFAR obligated to amfori BSCI Code of Conduct aiming to adhere to social and environmental standards. Ensures responsible practices within global value chain.
• Werkhaus GmbH (Bielefelder Lebenshilfe)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 200220-year cooperation with workshop for people with disabilities. External workplaces created at Halfar's headquarters where Werkhaus employees work alongside Halfar employees. Demonstrates inclusive employment of people with and without disabilities meeting high quality standards.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• VAUDE: German outdoor brand with deep sustainability/EMAS credentials; broader product portfolio (apparel, packs, bags) but overlaps with Halfar on sustainable technical packs and 'Made in Europe' positioning.
• Jack Wolfskin: German outdoor brand offering backpacks and bags as part of a broader apparel/footwear assortment; overlaps with Halfar on outdoor pack manufacturing and German sustainability positioning.

Direct peers

• Mandarina Duck: European design-led bag and backpack brand, comparable to Halfar in lifestyle/promotional bag category and premium European positioning.
• LOQI: Brand focused on reusable shopping bags and totes with sustainability positioning, directly comparable to Halfar's shopper/tote promotional bag range and eco material focus.
• Herschel Supply Co. Design-focused backpack and bag brand with comparable product range (laptop backpacks, shoppers, travel bags) and similar mid-premium positioning to Halfar.
• Fjällräven: Specialist outdoor backpack and bag brand with strong sustainability narrative (Kånken, recycled materials), comparable to Halfar on sports/outdoor pack manufacturing and eco positioning.
• Reisenthel: German bag and accessories brand focused on lifestyle and shopping bags, comparable to Halfar's promotional/lifestyle bag range and similar European mid-market positioning.
• Deuter Sport: German backpack and technical bag manufacturer with strong sustainability positioning, directly comparable to Halfar in product category, geography, and ESG-led go-to-market.

Emerging players

• Scout (Scout GmbH): German manufacturer of school bags, backpacks, and technical carrying solutions, partially overlapping with Halfar's backpack and technical bag divisions in the German market.
• Cotopaxi: US-based sustainable bag and outdoor brand built around recycled materials and circular-economy messaging, comparable to Halfar's MONO/organic cotton positioning though at smaller scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/halfar_system
• Facebookfacebook.com/halfartaschen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/halfar-system-gmbh

Compliance14 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Halfar