Suitcases from Hungary for the whole world – eKapija at new Samsonite facility in Szekszard

Samsonite, one of the leading global producers of suitcases, opened its new facility in the Hungarian city of Szekszard this month. Since the start of the production in this city in 1989, this is the third big investment of Samsonite in Hungary, and the company has facilities in the Belgian city of Oudenaarde and in India.

The new factory in Hungary takes up 20,000 m2 and will be producing around 15 various types of suitcases, which will be sold in over 100 countries worldwide.

– With this investments, we have increased the annual production from 1.2 to 1.7 million units, with the possibility of going up to 2.3 million if necessary. This is, then, a very serious increase of the production, nearly doubling the capacities – Arne Borrey, president of Samsonite Europe, said in an exclusive interview for our portal.

The new plant in Hungary will considerably increase Samsonite's capacities in Europe, which is part of the company's efforts to further strengthen its reputation of a European brand. According to Statista's Made-In-Country-Index, the “Made in Europe” label is the third most valued label in the world, right behind “Made in Germany” and “Made in Switzerland”.

Nearly EUR 11 million was invested in the new factory, of which around 3 million was provided by the Hungarian government. Now that the capacities have been expanded, the production in the Hungarian city is carried out on around 40,000 m2 (a third of which consists of warehouses), and the facilities employ 750 people.

The team of eKapija, together with press from all over the world, had an opportunity to take a tour of Samsonite's plants in Hungary.

High technology, constant innovations

The employees at the new facility have already settled into their working routine. Around 100 of the newly employed are completing the suitcases: sewing zippers, working on interior elastic tapes, handles... These suitcases will be available in stores across the globe.

As the company points out, people travel more than ever nowadays, which is why they are constantly looking to enhance their range of products. Today's market demands lighter, but stronger and more durable luggage, and the Hungarian factories therefore use those materials which combine these characteristics, while constantly innovating, implementing new technologies and performing extensive tests.

– The constant balance between strength and lightness has become one of our main challenges and fields of operation – our guide says.

The facilities in Szekszard produce Neopulse suitcases from the PC collection, made of polycarbonates, as well as models Lite-Cube, Cosmolite and Lite-Box, a part of the CURV program based on polypropylene fibers. Woven polypropylene arrives from Germany's Propex and is remarkably light, making these suitcases the lightest in their class. On the other hand, thanks to reinforcement in strategic spots, primarily corners, they are also more robust than before. These innovations recently won the Red Dot award.

It all begins in the first facility, where suitcase shells are produced in a largely automated process. Our guide explains that the high technology implemented here is based on the so-called pressforming machines, which help transform polypropylene into a suitcase shell. Machines produced in Belgium specially for the needs of Samsonite find a balance between the pressing tonnage, the duration and the temperature of the process. This results in light, durable shells, capable of withstanding damage.

The Hungarian facilities feature 7 such machines, known as atlas machines. They perform the biggest part of the job, so we didn't meet many workers at the facility. There are also 3 machines using the laser technology to make openings, as well as a robot-machine. Nearly all the waste made during the production is resold.

As our guide explains, around 900,000 CURV suitcases and 300,000 PC suitcases are produced here annually, and they've also produced more than 4,000 Tumi suitcases in 2017 so far, a luxury premium brand which has been operating under Samsonite since September 2016, when the acquisition was carried out. As we've already mentioned, the production plans for Hungary for next year are considerably bigger.

Samsonite constantly researches new technological solutions for increasing the comfort of its customers and the durability of its products. Smooth rolling wheels, front pockets and laptop compartments are only some of the recent features meant to enhance the product experience. As Borrey points out, smart technology will be a big future challenge, which is constantly on their minds. One of the solutions they are working on is a suitcase-tracking app which would prevent luggage from getting misplaced.

They also insist on constant control tests, automated and standardized, and one such lab, integrated in the new factory in Hungary, should monitor and guarantee the total quality of all products. The latest software, which enables the calibration of heating, cooling and lighting at any moment, has been installed in the new facility, as have been solar panels which generate hot water.

As Borrey told us, around 25-30% of the total production of Samsonite originates in Hungary, and the group is very pleased with the results achieved in the country and doesn't exclude the possibility of further investments.

The company's internal results in 2017 show a growth of sales of 32% for the whole group. The company points out that this result is further supported by the continuous growth of the travel industry, which is why they see a lot of potential in many markets, including Serbia. Although the traveling habits of the citizens of Serbia are below the European average, there's room for a further expansion of the business.

Let us remind that the company Brand Point became the general representative of Samsonite in Serbia in 2016, whereas the first exclusive store opened in the center of Belgrade, at 7 Cika Ljubina Street, as House of Samsonite. The Serbian distributor has also announced the opening of another two stores, one in the Mercator shopping center and the other in Novi Sad.

In the upcoming days, you will be able to learn how the Samsonite Group sees the Serbian market and what its further plans are by reading an exclusive interview with Arne Borrey, president of Samsonite Europe!

Authorities in Hungary satisfied

Representatives of the Hungarian government have expressed satisfaction over the fact that a big global corporation like Samsonite has decided to reinvest in their country.

As they said at the presentation of the new facility, their flexible Labor Law has had a great impact on an increase of foreign investments, and the country also has the lowest income tax (around 9%) in the EU, which is the crucial factor for numerous investors.

In 2016, Serbia's neighbor had 71 positive decision on investments in the country, whereas, in the first half of the current year, there were 47, which makes them confident that they will break the record by the end of 2017.

Samsonite has been operating in Hungary since 1989, when they opened their first facility here. Prior to the opening of the new factory, they made another investment in the expansion of the capacities in 2014.

Ivana Bezarevic

Brand Point doo Beograd

Samsonite

Samsonite Europe

Brand Point

Arne Borrey

Neopulse

Lite Cube

Cosmolite

Lite Box

CURV technology

production of suitcases

suitcases of polypropylene

polypropylene

Samsonite factories in Hungary

production of Samsonite suitcases

Made in Europe label

Government of Hungary

Propex Germany

Tumi

Oudenaarde

suitcase

suitcases

travel