Samsonite

Jesse Shwayder opened his first workshop in Denver, Colorado, on March 10, 1910, to craft sturdy trunks for the American frontier. The company started as the Shwayder Trunk Manufacturing Company before adopting the name Samsonite, a nod to the biblical strongman that signaled the rugged durability of its products. What began as a local trunk maker has grown into a global powerhouse with its registered office in Mansfield, Luxembourg, and a primary listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Today the brand spans a wide spectrum from budget-friendly carry-ons to high-end luxury collections like Omni PC and Winfield. Beyond hard and soft-sided luggage, Samsonite designs smart backpacks, laptop bags, and travel accessories equipped with built-in charging ports and GPS tracking. Major retailers including Best Buy, Nordstrom, and Amazon stock these items, ensuring broad consumer access across North America, Europe, and Asia.

In August 2026 the company made headlines by acquiring the lifestyle travel brand BÉIS for approximately $210 million. This strategic move targets the Gen Z demographic and expands Samsonite's footprint in the direct-to-consumer sector. The deal followed a period where Q2 revenues slipped but earnings still beat analyst expectations, prompting an upward revision of financial forecasts. [edit]