LKQ Europe partners with Fristads for workwear solution

LKQ Europe partners with Fristads for workwear solution

Swedish workwear manufacturer Fristads has secured an agreement to supply a full range of workwear to LKQ Europe, the leading distributor of automotive aftermarket parts for cars, commercial vans and industrial vechicles in Europe. 

Fristads’ commitment to high-quality and sustainable processes as well as its ability to deliver local service under a European contract and the broad assortment of garments available played a key role in securing the deal. It will now supply around 15,000 LKQ Europe employees across 18 countries.

“We’re thrilled to welcome LKQ Europe as a new customer,” said Anders Bruhn-Schmidt, Global Solutions Business Development Director at Fristads. “Their pan-European operations align perfectly with our model of offering localised service within a global framework. LKQ Europe also shares our commitment to sustainability and will use Fristads’ services for repair, reuse and recycling to reduce their environmental impact from workwear.”

Sustainability at every step

As part of Fristads’ comprehensive sustainability offering, customers can extend the lifespan of their workwear by repairing minor damages, reusing garments that still have potential, and recycling materials at the end of a garment’s life. Fristads facilitates the entire recycling process through their sustainability partners, making it easy for the customer to reduce waste and environmental impact.

Sustainability was also a key factor in the selection of products for the LKQ Europe collection. Several models in the lineup come with an Environmental Product Declaration and have a lower climate impact than conventional alternatives. According to the agreement, Fristads will deliver a full assortment of workwear, from t-shirts and trousers to winter jackets and high-visibility garments. The garments hail from Fristads’ standard assortment and have been customised with LKQ Europe’s identity.

David Brookfield, Vice President of Human Resources at LKQ Europe, said: "The safety and comfort of our colleagues is a top priority for us. The garment designs included in this new contract with Fristads’ provides our colleagues with high-quality clothing that ensures their protection and allows them to work confidently in their respective environments."

About LKQ Europe

LKQ Europe, a subsidiary of LKQ Corporation (www.lkqcorp.com), headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, is the leading distributor of automotive aftermarket parts for cars, commercial vans, and industrial vehicles in Europe. It currently employs approximately 26,500 people with a network of more than 1,000 branches and approximately $6.3 billion in revenue in 2023. The organisation supplies more than 100,000 workshops in over 18 European countries.

The group includes LKQ UK & Ireland, LKQ Benelux-France, LKQ RHIAG Group, Elit, LKQ CZ, and LKQ DACH, as well as recycling specialist, Atracco.