The story behind RacmanPads

📖 Introduction

Racman is a family-owned business with a rich history. Throughout the years, we've developed a distinct identity focused on respect, innovation, and sustainability, which continues to guide us in everything we do.

At its core, we are a family business that has grown due to the increasing demand for high-quality reusable products. Our main team at Racman consists of Aleš, Jakob, Irena, and Tatjana, who handle customer support, pack orders, develop products, and even sew at our headquarters in Poljanska Valley in the Gorenjska region.

To support our growing production, we have set up a network of external seamstresses who work from home. They receive the necessary machines and materials, and we offer flexible work hours to accommodate their family and personal commitments. Many of these women have young children or run farms, making full-time employment difficult.

🕘 How it all began

Our story began in 1992 when we (Aleš and Irena) founded Viral d.o.o. That year, a lot happened for us – we graduated, got married, and started a company all in the span of just three months. 

Our workshop initially started in our living room, as we didn’t have a garage. The living room was spacious and bright, and with little furniture, it became our production space. Moving materials and products up and down the stairs became part of our daily routine! After three years, we adapted a part of our agricultural building, which became our first real workshop, where we continue to work today.

👶 The Birth of Racman Diapers and Our Journey of Eco Innovations 

The Racman cloth diaper story started in 2002 when we sewed our first washable diapers for our fourth child, Urška. After using disposable diapers for our first daughter, we chose to use cloth diapers for our sons. Initially, friends and family were our testers and key supporters and we quickly realized that washing diapers was not a problem at all!

Today, Racman products go beyond diapers. In 2004, we developed our first washable menstrual pads, inspired by mothers who used cloth baby diapers and asked, 'What about us? Why should we be using plastic menstrual pads while my child wears soft cotton?'

Thanks to the materials and machines available at home, testing became easy, and soon our washable menstrual pads became a huge success. We also introduced other popular products, including paperless kitchen towels, reusable makeup remover pads, washable nursing pads, etc – all designed with the same care, quality, and sustainability in mind.

🐤 Curious About the Origin of Our Name 'Racman'? 

We wanted a Slovenian name for our Slovenian cloth diapers. One day, Aleš commented as he watched our child crawling in the freshly sewn washable diaper, 'With this diaper on his bum, he's just like a little 'racman!' In Slovenian 'Racman' refers to a child who moves in a waddling or toddling manner, similar to how a duck moves. The name stuck, and so did the idea.

🌏 International Growth

In 2017, we took a significant step by introducing our sustainable products to international markets, gaining customers across Europe, the U.S., and beyond. We also earned FDA certification for our sanitary products, ensuring their safety and sustainability. This expansion has contributed to significant growth for our company.

🎊 Racman’s 20th Anniversary

In the fall of 2022, we celebrated a double milestone: 20 years of the Racman brand and 30 years of our family business, Viral d.o.o. We celebrated this achievement with our close collaborators and their families. Not only is our business family-run, but most of our collaborators are also mothers who work from home, making their families an integral part of our work environment and celebrations.

Despite the long and dynamic journey, our vision remains the same: to offer high-quality reusable products that provide a sustainable alternative to single-use items and are better for both our health and the planet!