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Samsonite

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This article is about the luggage company. For the silver mineral, see Samsonite (mineral).

Samsonite International S.A.
FormerlySAMSONITE
(1910–66)
Company typePublic
SEHK: 1910
Founded10 March 1910; 115 years ago (1910-03-10)
FounderJesse Shwayder
Headquarters
Luxembourg City
,
[1]
Key people
  • Timothy Charles Parker (chairman)
  • Kyle Francis Gendreau (CEO)[2]
Brands
OwnerCVC Capital Partners
Number of employees
14,500[3]
Websitesamsonite.com

Samsonite International S.A. is an American[4] luggage manufacturer and retailer of suitcases, small toiletries bags, briefcases and backpacks. The company was founded in 1910 in Denver, Colorado, United States.

Its registered office is in Luxembourg and it is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.[5]

History

[edit]
1953 ad for Samsonite

The company was founded in Denver, Colorado, on March 10, 1910, by Black Hawk, Colorado-born luggage salesman Jesse Shwayder (1882–1970) as the Shwayder Trunk Manufacturing Company.[6][7][8][9] A religious man, Shwayder named one of his initial cases Samson, after the Biblical strongman, and began using the trademark "Samsonite" in 1941 for its tapered vulcanized fiber suitcase, introduced in 1939.[10] In 1965, after the Samsonite suitcase became its best-selling product, the company changed its name to SAMSONITE. For many years the subsidiary SAMSONITE Furniture Co. made folding chairs and card tables in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

The Samsonite Swirl
A 1960 ad for Samsonite

The Shwayder family sold the company to Beatrice Foods in 1973.[7] The Samsonite Swirl logo was introduced, its four leaves standing for design, development, market research and publicity and also highlighting Samsonite’s then presence on four continents.In 1974, the company released the brand's first wheeled suitcase as part of the Silhouette product line, representing a revolution in comfort and convenience for travelers.

In 1986 Samsonite launched the award-winning Oyster, a hardside suitcase with an injection-molded plastic frame rather than a metal frame, making it Samsonite’s lightest case yet.

Samsonite operated with relative independence within Beatrice until 1986, when Samsonite was sold to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts. in the 1980s and into the 1990s, Samsonite went through multiple ownership changes. Forbes Magazine states that "the company spent most of the 1980s and 1990s in turmoil amidst multiple handoffs."[11] First, Samsonite was spun off from KKR as part of E-II, which came under the control of Fortune Brands.[10] E-II went through bankruptcy and was renamed Astrum International.

The first aluminium product Samsonite Xylem™
Luggage lock

In 1993, Astrum purchased American Tourister luggage.[12] In 1995, Astrum split, and an independent Samsonite (now including American Tourister) was once again headquartered in Denver.[10] The Denver factory, which employed 4,000 people at its peak, closed in May 2001.

In 1997 Samsonite introduced the Ultra Transporter, the first upright case with a balanced four-wheel system that allowed the traveler to push or pull their luggage. In 1998 they brought the first aluminium product, Xylem™. In 2000 four-wheel Samsonite Spinners were introduced, improving mobility and convenience for travelers. In 2005 the first suitcase with a multi-point lock system was launched.

After a change of ownership in May 2005, Samsonite's headquarters moved from Denver to Mansfield, Massachusetts. Effective September 1, 2005, Samsonite moved its U.S. marketing and sales offices from Warren, Rhode Island, to Mansfield, Massachusetts.

In 2005, the company was acquired by Marcello Bottoli, former CEO of Louis Vuitton, to pull it out of a long slump.[11] Bottoli left the company in 2009.[13]

Samsonite Cosmolite

In July 2007, private equity firm CVC Capital Partners took over Samsonite for $1.7 billion.[14] CVC Capital Partners Ltd. became Samsonite's fifth owner in 21 years.[15][16]

In 2008 the Cosmolite collection was launched. Made of the innovative Curv® material. Resulting in the strongest and lightest Samsonite suitcase ever.

On September 2, 2009, Samsonite Company Store LLC (U.S. retail division), formally known as Samsonite Company Stores Inc., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.[17] It planned to close up to 50% of its stores and discontinue the "Black Label" brand in the United States.[18][19]

In June 2011, Samsonite raised $1.25 billion in an initial public offering in Hong Kong.[20]

In August 2012 Samsonite acquired the High Sierra and Hartmann brands. High Sierra's products are targeted at active lifestyle consumers including outdoor enthusiasts, skiers and snowboarders, adventure travelers and students. The Hartmann brand, founded in 1877, is recognized as a mark of quality among American luxury consumers and its products appeals to business and leisure consumers alike.

In June 2014 Samsonite acquired three brands: Lipault, a French luggage brand known for its functional and fashionable products, aimed at women; Speck, a U.S. company which designs and distributes slim protective cases for personal electronic devices; and Gregory, a leading provider of premium technical backpacking, mountaineering, and trail running products and accessories. Founded in 1977, Gregory is a pioneer in its field, well-known for setting performance standards in terms of the innovative design, ergonomics, high quality and durability of its products. The Speck brand was divested in 2021.

In March 2016, Samsonite bought Tumi Inc. for $1.8 billion in its largest ever acquisition.[21]

In April 2017, Samsonite acquired eBags.com for $105 million in cash.[22][23]

Samsonite marked its 110th anniversary with the launch of “Our Responsible Journey”, a new global sustainable strategy to become the most sustainable lifestyle bag and travel luggage company in the world. As well as continuing to design products that last, they are also committed to the increasing use of recycled materials; reducing their impact on the planet; and protecting and enriching their people, partners and the communities that help make their business such a great success.

Samsonite PROXIS

In 2020 they launched the PROXIS™ hard-shell suitcase collection. This is the first travel collection utilizing Roxkin™[24] – an innovative, patented luggage material that is remarkably strong and light, and is also recyclable.

In 2023, Samsonite was rated the best overall luggage for travelers by Good Housekeeping Magazine.[25]

In September 2023, Bloomberg reported that Samsonite was exploring the possibility of a second listing in the U.S..[26]

In 2025 Samsonite pushing the boundaries with two new Circular[27] collections featuring the brand’s first Digital Product Passports, contributing to redefining sustainability efforts in the luggage industry. The Digital Product Passport is a true breakthrough in enhancing transparency across the product lifecycle and providing access to key details about how we’ve incorporated more sustainable solutions, materials origin, and regulatory compliance.

Production

[edit]
Samsonite factory in Szekszard, Hungary, in 2016

Beginning in 1961, Samsonite manufactured and distributed Lego building toys for the North American market under license from the Lego Group. A licensing dispute ended the arrangement in the U.S. in 1972, but Samsonite remained the distributor in Canada until 1986. Albert H. Reckler, then head of military and export sales for the luggage division, brought the idea of manufacturing and selling Lego in the U.S. to Samsonite. He and Stan A. Clamage were instrumental in establishing the Lego brand in the United States. This was part of an overall company expansion into toy manufacturing[28] in the 1960s that was abandoned in the 1970s.

In 2008, 40% of all Samsonite hard luggage was manufactured at its plant in Nashik, India.[29]

Samsonite has two assembly plants in Hungary.[30]

In 2022, Samsonite announced plans to move production to Japan.[9]

In April 2023, Samsonite announced plans to expand its manufacturing in Nashik as the demand for travel has increased.[31] Samsonite India plans to invest ₹1,100,000,000 –1,150,000,000 to enhance its hard luggage manufacturing capacity from 500,000 pieces a month to 750,000 pieces by the end of the following year. The expansion will include 180,000 square feet of land for the plant to expand on.[31]

Collaborations

[edit]

Vexx

[edit]
Samsonite Vexx collaboration

In 2025, Samsonite announced a collaboration with internationally recognized visual artist Vexx. The partnership resulted in a limited-edition luggage collection featuring two distinct designs in 55 cm and 75 cm sizes. The collection includes a white "Daylight" edition, characterized by Vexx’s colorful and whimsical doodle-style artwork, and a black "Nightfall" edition, which presents a more subdued and atmospheric interpretation. The designs reflect Vexx’s signature style and thematic exploration of contrast between light and shadow.

Kenny Scharf

[edit]

In 2024, Samsonite launched a collection in collaboration with pop surrealist artist Kenny Scharf. The collection integrates Scharf's distinctive visual style—characterized by vibrant colors, surreal imagery, and anthropomorphic forms—into the design of Samsonite’s C-Lite suitcase. The collaboration aimed to merge the worlds of contemporary art and travel, using Scharf's playful, pop-culture-infused aesthetic to create a visually striking travel accessory.

BOSS

[edit]
Samsonite | BOSS capsule

In 2024, Samsonite and BOSS co-created a capsule luggage collection emphasizing premium quality, innovation, and timeless design. The BOSS | Samsonite collection features suitcases crafted from high-quality aluminum and is distinguished by an anodized tone-on-tone black BOSS monogram pattern. This finishing technique embeds the motif directly into the aluminum shell, resulting in a durable and distinctive aesthetic.

Jean-Michel Basquiat

[edit]

In 2023, Samsonite released a limited-edition collaboration with the estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat, integrating the artist’s iconic neo-expressionist style into its C-Lite luggage series. The collection features two distinct designs: Pez Dispenser, which depicts a crowned dinosaur on a minimalist white background referencing the American candy brand, and Untitled Skull, showcasing a complex, X-ray-like depiction of a human skull. The collaboration aimed to bring Basquiat’s recognizable visual language to a global audience through functional travel accessories.

Diesel

[edit]

In 2019, Samsonite collaborated with fashion brand Diesel to launch a special edition luggage collection aimed at modern travelers and business commuters. The collection features semi-transparent suitcases with a distinctive gradient design that transitions from a solid black base to increasing transparency. The interiors are lined with bright yellow mesh, creating a striking contrast and a visually distinctive aesthetic.

Awards

[edit]
Year Award Category Ranking Product
2025 Reddot winner 2025[32] Luggage & Bags 1st place Armox
2025 Reddot winner 2025[33] Luggage & Bags 1st place Active Road
2025 Reddot winner 2025[34] Luggage & Bags 1st place Octolite Neo
2025 Reddot winner 2025[35] Luggage & Bags 1st place Zenpod
2025 Reddot winner 2025[36] Luggage & Bags 1st place Lite-GEO
2024 Reddot winner 2024[37] Luggage & Bags 1st place Coatify Biz
2024 Reddot winner 2024[38] Luggage & Bags 1st place Ecodiver Foldable Duffle/WH 4-in-1
2024 Reddot winner 2024[39] Luggage & Bags 1st place Securipak2.0
2024 Reddot winner 2024[40] Luggage & Bags 1st place Intuo
2024 Reddot winner 2024[41] Luggage & Bags 1st place Essens
2024 Reddot winner 2023[42] Luggage & Bags 1st place Ecodiver
2024 Reddot winner 2023[43] Luggage & Bags 1st place Zipprix
2024 Reddot winner 2023[44] Luggage & Bags 1st place Evoa Z
2023 Reddot winner 2023[45] Luggage & Bags 1st place Attrix
2023 Reddot winner 2023[46] Innovative products 1st place IBON
2023 Reddot winner 2023[47] Luggage & Bags 1st place Elevation Plus
2023 Reddot winner 2023[48] Luggage & Bags 1st place BIZ2GO
2023 Reddot winner 2023[49] Luggage & Bags 1st place Eco Former
2023 Reddot winner 2023[50] Best of the best 2023 1st place IBON
2022 Reddot winner 2022[51] Best of the best 2022 1st place Unimax
2020 Reddot winner 2020[52] Luggage & Bags 1st place Securipak
2020 Reddot winner 2020[53] Luggage & Bags 1st place Magnum
2015 Reddot winner 2020[54] Mode, lifestyle & accessories 1st place Lite-Shock

Group brands

[edit]

Competitors

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Samsonite Corp 575 West St Mansfield, MA Manufacturers - MapQuest". www.mapquest.com.
  2. ^ Seigel, Rachel (June 1, 2018). "Samsonite CEO resigns after falsely claiming he had a PhD in business administration". Washington Post. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  3. ^ "SAMSONITE INTERNATIONAL S.A. : Shareholders Board Members Managers and Company Profile | LU0633102719 | MarketScreener".
  4. ^ "Samsonite: Investor Relations - Contact Us".
  5. ^ "2011 Annual Report" (PDF). Samsonite International S.A. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2014.
  6. ^ Barreto, Elzio (June 10, 2011). "Samsonite HK IPO bags $1.25 billion after pricing at bottom". Reuters. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
  7. ^ a b Diamond, Madline (August 31, 2021). "The Evolution of Luggage: A Timeline". Travel + Leisure. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  8. ^ Machajewski, Sarah (December 15, 2015). Colorado's Changing Cities: Then and Now. The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. ISBN 978-1-4994-1504-9.
  9. ^ a b "Exploring The Reasons Behind Samsonite's Production Move To Japan | Parklandmfg". Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  10. ^ a b c Samsonite Corp. History. International Directory of Company Histories. Vol. 13. St. James Press. 1996.
  11. ^ a b Meredith, Robyn (June 20, 2005). "Sleeker Samsonite". Forbes. Retrieved September 30, 2010.
  12. ^ Strom, Stephanie (September 26, 1993). "Wall Street; New Name, New Life, for Astrum". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
  13. ^ "People". Forbes (profile). Archived from the original on April 14, 2009.
  14. ^ Sivaraman, Aarthi (July 5, 2007). "CVC to acquire Samsonite for $1.7 billion". Reuters. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  15. ^ Clothier, Mark (July 5, 2007). "Samsonite Sold to Buyout Firm". Bloomberg News. Archived from the original on August 4, 2009. Retrieved March 20, 2025 – via Denver Post.
  16. ^ Clothier, Mark (July 6, 2007), "Luggage Maker Packs up Sale Deal", Denver Post, Bloomberg News, archived from the original on December 16, 2009, retrieved March 20, 2025
  17. ^ "Samsonite Chapter 11 Petition" (PDF). PacerMonitor. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  18. ^ "Samsonite". Samsonite company stores. September 2, 2009. Archived from the original on August 10, 2010. Retrieved September 30, 2010.
  19. ^ "Samsonite retail unit files for bankruptcy". Reuters. September 2, 2009. Retrieved September 30, 2010.
  20. ^ "Samsonite I.P.O. Raises $1.25 Billion". The New York Times. June 10, 2011. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
  21. ^ Murphy, Dan (March 4, 2016). "Samsonite to buy Tumi for $1.8 billion in its largest deal since 2011". CNBC. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  22. ^ "Black Samsonite buys eBags for $105 million". digitalcommerce360. April 7, 2017. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  23. ^ "Black Samsonite Acquires eBags". Seeking Alpha. April 7, 2017. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  24. ^ Samsonite Europe (August 5, 2024). Samsonite Roxkin™ - Multi-layered material engineered for an outstanding durability. Retrieved August 1, 2025 – via YouTube.
  25. ^ "Travel Experts Reveal The Best Luggage Brands for Every Budget". Good Housekeeping. May 5, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  26. ^ "Samsonite Is Exploring Possibility of Second Listing in US". Bloomberg.com. August 16, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  27. ^ "Introducing new Circular luggage". www.samsonite.co.uk. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  28. ^ Toys catalogue (photo gallery), Samsonite, 1972.
  29. ^ "After shoes, Samsonite plans watches, eyewear". The Hindu Business Line. September 18, 2008. Retrieved September 30, 2010.
  30. ^ "Samsonite opens second factory in Hungary". September 21, 2017. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  31. ^ a b "Samsonite to invest ₹160 cr to expand manufacturing capacity". www.thehindubusinessline.com. April 2, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  32. ^ "Red Dot Design Award: Armox". www.red-dot.org. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  33. ^ "Red Dot Design Award: Active Road". www.red-dot.org. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  34. ^ "Red Dot Design Award: Octolite Neo". www.red-dot.org. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  35. ^ "Red Dot Design Award: Zenpod". www.red-dot.org. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  36. ^ "Red Dot Design Award: LITE-GEO". www.red-dot.org. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  37. ^ "Red Dot Design Award: Coatify Biz". www.red-dot.org. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  38. ^ "Red Dot Design Award: Ecodiver Foldable Duffle/WH 4-in-1". www.red-dot.org. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  39. ^ "Red Dot Design Award: Securipak2.0". www.red-dot.org. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  40. ^ "Red Dot Design Award: Intuo". www.red-dot.org. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  41. ^ "Red Dot Design Award: Essens". www.red-dot.org. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  42. ^ "Red Dot Design Award: ECODIVER". www.red-dot.org. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  43. ^ "Red Dot Design Award: Zipprix". www.red-dot.org. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  44. ^ "Red Dot Design Award: EVOA Z". www.red-dot.org. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  45. ^ "Red Dot Design Award: ATTRIX". www.red-dot.org. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  46. ^ "Red Dot Design Award: IBON". www.red-dot.org. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  47. ^ "Red Dot Design Award: Elevation Plus". www.red-dot.org. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  48. ^ "Red Dot Design Award: BIZ2GO". www.red-dot.org. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  49. ^ "Red Dot Design Award: ECO FORMER". www.red-dot.org. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  50. ^ "Red Dot Design Award: IBON". www.red-dot.org. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  51. ^ "Red Dot Design Award: UNIMAX". www.red-dot.org. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  52. ^ "Red Dot Design Award: Securipak". www.red-dot.org. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  53. ^ "Red Dot Design Award: Magnum". www.red-dot.org. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  54. ^ "Red Dot Design Award: Lite-Shock". www.red-dot.org. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  55. ^ "Samsonite to acquire Tumi for US$26.75 per share to create a leading global travel lifestyle company". Archived from the original (PDF) on November 24, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
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