Samsonite is one of the world’s leading producers of luggage, and as a brand name is known to travellers from all over the world for its durable and ergonomic products.
Combined with a flair for innovation and a versatile product range, Samsonite has risen to become a global market leader despite several setbacks along the course of its hundred-year history. Today, the company sells not only its own branded products, but also owns other popular luggage brands such as American Tourister, High Sierra, Haltmann, Lipault and Speck.
Samsonite was founded in 1910 by Jesse Shwayder, a New York-based salesman with a flair for business and a strong desire to start his own company.
World leaders in luggage technology
He did so by moving back to his home state of Colorado and going into partnership with his brothers. Oddly enough, the company that would come to be known as Samsonite first specialised in the manufacturing of trucks before branching out into luggage.
Through hard work and savvy marketing, the business grew from strength to strength in its early years, achieving a revenue of over a million dollars in a little over a decade.