What is Dragons’ Den Rapstrap?
In 2004, Andy Harsley introduced the Rapstrap, intending to design an innovative, waste-free, sustainable and bio-degradable alternative to traditional nylon cable ties. With the help of this reusable strap, you can tie your cables and ropes or safely bundle your plants and other helpful items.
The main goal of Rapstrap is to offer efficient tying solutions, create zero-waste, and lead to a reduced environmental impact. Over the years, the uses of Rapstrap have increased. Moreover, Harsley has created multiple custom versions of its product for specific applications.
You can cut these renewable and recycled Rapstraps to size like cable ties. However, unlike cable ties, the users can keep and reuse the remaining cut-off material. At present, people use the product all over the world.
What are the Uses of Dragons’ Den Rapstrap?
The company offers a vast and unique range of solutions. Whether you want to buy a tie that supports, protects and cushions your items or manages your waste, Rapstrap is the best solution. The company’s products provide better and more advanced alternatives to conventional single-using products. Moreover, their designs are uniquely soft, elasticated and flexible. Rapstraps are fully reusable, releasable, recyclable and reduce waste, as every strap offers multiple ties. The company also delivers heavy-duty, industrial and custom versions of straps on request.
Rapstrap stands out from other cable ties in various simple yet effective ways. It ties up all the loose and messy wires and saves the planet by creating much less waste than conventional cable ties. Moreover, you can cut off any excess strap and use it again. Also, if someone doesn’t snip off the extra Rapstrap, they can detach and reseal the cable tie. You can easily stretch these straps to wrap different shapes and sizes of bundles. Moreover, the material of these cable ties is so soft enough to wrap exposed wires and delicate fabrics.
Journey of Dragons’ Den Rapstrap
Andy spent 20 years improving his eco-friendly Rapstrap before appearing on Dragons’ Den. In 2008, Harsley pitched Rapstrap on Dragons’ Den and impressed the Dragons. The entrepreneur’s company aims to offer better and more efficient tying solutions and reduce environmental impact by creating less waste.
Rapstrap received an investment of £150k from Dragons Duncan Bannatyne and James Caan, two of Britain’s most influential business tycoons. Soon after the deal, Rapstrap emerged as one of the biggest hits of Dragons’ Den. Moreover, the world’s biggest plastic distributor, Hitachi-Maxell, signed a contract of £36m with Andy’s company. Moreover, Rapstrap also signed an agreement with Schneider Electric, a multi-million-pound international distribution deal. The cable tie company soon became one of the most successful businesses to appear on the BBC show.
Harsley shared his experience on Dragons’ Den and stated, “When I innovated Rapstrap, I was shocked that no one ever thought of designing such straps. The nylon cable ties generate a lot of waste. Rapstraps also do the same work as nylon ties but are four times less costly, more effective, beneficial and generate less waste.”
He added, “Nylon cable ties produce massive plastic waste. To solve this problem, we introduced Rapstrap. Our cable ties are not a very sexy product, but we focus on solving the environmental issue.”
James Caan states Rapstrap as one of the most prosperous deals of Dragon’s Den. He believes the simplicity of the product has made it a big success. The business tycoon said, “I have always witnessed the simplest ideas revolutionise the world. Rapstrap is a simple innovation, but no one else ever thought of it.”
Where is Rapstrap Now
Since its establishment, Rapstrap has become increasingly active by expanding its business worldwide. This has helped the company design other versions of Rapstrap’s core technology, providing a wide range of tying straps. These tying solutions lower the impact on the environment and reduce wastage. All the Rapstraps are developed, designed and fabricated in the UK.
The company’s Classic Rapstraps are one of the best-selling tying solutions. These original waste-reducing rapstrap are manufactured using a premium and flexible elastomer, making the product elasticated and soft. These straps safely protect and cushion all delicate items offering up to 50% stretch. Another range of ties offered by Rapstrap is i-Tie, a super quick and easy tying solution ideal for releasable, reusable, removable or temporary applications.
Another range of Rapstrap is Sustainable Rapstraps, recycled and renewable strips delivering greener tying solutions, using renewable bio-resources and upcycled waste plastic. The company also offers Biodegradable straps that are quickly disposable and water-soluble. These rapstraps are degradable and stable above ground. Moreover, Rapstraps also delivers Specialities and Industrial Products, a wide range of customised solutions for commercial and industrial applications. These products include fire retardant, heavy-duty and metal-detectable strips.
Rapstrap’s automated robotic systems operate 24/7 in production and design over half a million strips per week. Rapstraps can be automatically fit to size. Moreover, after each use, you can remove the remaining tie and use it later for more wraps. Thus, you can simply tie Rapstraps, chop them and wrap them again. Interestingly, a single rapstrap can be used as a substitute for up to 5 standard nylon cable ties.