Our Brands: Samsonite

Samsonite—originally known as the Shwayder Trunk Manufacturing Company—was founded in 1910 in Denver, Colorado, by Jesse Shwayder, a trunk manufacturer and pioneer of a new approach to travel luggage: lightweight, versatile, and stylish.

Innovation, a core value of the brand from the very beginning, was already evident in the advanced prototype of the traditional wooden trunk, redesigned by Shwayder himself with the addition of metal corners and studs intended to enhance its design, durability, and comfort. Building on the early successes of its founder—supported in the family business by his brothers Maurice, Ben, and Mark, the brand grew in popularity, becoming a leading player in the global luggage industry thanks to the production of suitcases and travel bags that meet the needs of travelers worldwide.

Between the 1940s and the 1970s, Samsonite introduced a series of innovations destined to make their mark on the market, thanks to the introduction of new materials and linings: the leather-effect lithographed cardboard covering, introduced with the “Samsonite” Streamlite suitcase in 1941, was the first example of an affordable (faux leather) travel accessory, a classic in the luggage market, which began to shift its focus toward travelers beyond the elite.

The originality of the production and the sophistication of the materials best suited for travel are the foundation of the many innovations that Samsonite has brought to the industry: from the introduction of the integrated frame—patented in the ultra-durable Silhouette hard-shell suitcase—to the launch of the Samsonite Attaché, the first 24-hour briefcase designed for managers in the 1960s; meanwhile, production of the first “Samsonite” suitcase—made of ultra-lightweight and durable polypropylene—dates back to 1969.