AMERICAN TOURISTER
American Tourister is a brand of luggage owned by Samsonite. Brothers Sol and Irving Koffler founded American Luggage Works in Providence, Rhode Island, United States in 1933. In 2009, American Tourister was acquired by Astrum International, which also owns Samsonite. Astrum was renamed as the Samsonite Corporation two years later. Their products include suitcases, backpacks and wallets.
| Formerly | American Luggage Works |
|---|---|
| Industry | luggage |
| Founded | 1933 |
| Founders | Sol and Irving Koffler |
| Headquarters | Providence, Rhode Island , United States |
Area served | World wide |
Key people | Muhammad Ahsan |
| Products | Suitcases, backpacks wallets |
| Owner | Samsonite |
| Parent | Samsonite International S.A. |
Company History:
American Tourister, Inc., is one of the oldest and best-known luggage brands in the United States. Its commitment to selling durable and affordable luggage, which began with the company's founding in the 1930s, continued into the 1990s. Despite several changes in parent companies in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, American Tourister retained its brand recognition with the public, particularly through its association with luggage-abusing gorillas featured in its famous advertising campaign.
Sol Koffler, founder of American Tourister, was introduced to the luggage industry in the 1920s. A recent immigrant to the United States, Koffler worked in a plant that manufactured steamer trunks and in a pocketbook factory. The methods of luggage construction that Koffler learned were typical of the industry; thin strips of wood and plywood were glued together and then covered with either paper or cloth for inexpensive luggage or with leather for expensive luggage. Koffler set out on his own, determined to produce a more durable product.
Early History
In 1933 Koffler founded American Luggage Works by opening a shop in a vacant grocery store in Providence, Rhode Island. Although his first luggage did not revolutionize luggage design, Koffler was sure he had created a significantly more durable product than any competitor's in the same price range. The suitcase sold for one dollar, and, in the first year of operation, American Luggage Works sold 5,000 suitcases. As the company's only employee, Koffler handled all aspects of the business himself that year. Within two years, Koffler had hired several employees, although he himself continued to handle the luggage design and the company's sales. The company's product line had expanded to include two sizes, which sold for two and three dollars. Each size was produced in two colors, black or brown. Retailers throughout the Providence-Boston area carried the line.
The company's major breakthrough came soon after its founding. Koffler adapted machinery used to make plywood radio cases so that it would bend materials to make his luggage. The new equipment enabled him to simplify suitcase design significantly and still increase its durability. Typical luggage of the time was constructed of numerous pieces, making a squat and unwieldy suitcase that tended to split and crack. Koffler's new design was slim and round-cornered but still provided more room than other suitcases did. Other new features, such as linings and zippered pockets, enhanced the product's appeal. To distinguish this line from the previous ones, Koffler named it American Tourister.
Products
Beginning in 1961, Samsonite manufactured and distributed Lego building toys for the North American market under license from the Danish parent firm. 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 in the 1960s that was abandoned in the 1970s.
Production
Forty percent of all Samsonite hard luggage is manufactured at its plant in Nashik, India. Samsonite has two assembly plants in Hungary. Samsonite currently has a Better Business Organization rating of 'F', primarily because of Customer Service.
Product details
- Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
- Product Dimensions : 49.5 x 31.5 x 80.5 cm; 4.1 Kilograms
- Date First Available : 14 July 2017
- Manufacturer : Samsonite
- ASIN : B073XL19QZ
- Item model number : 27O (0) 70 003
- Country of Origin : China
- Manufacturer : Samsonite
- Importer : SAMSONITE SOUTH ASIA PVT. LTD GAT NO.159 TO 163,GONDE,TALUKA-IGATPURI NASIK 422403;Tel No. 02553-229700
- Item Weight : 4 kg 100 g
- Item Dimensions LxWxH : 49.5 x 31.5 x 80.5 Centimeters
- Net Quantity : 1 N
- Included Components : Soft Luggage
- Generic Name : Soft Luggage
Product details
- Product Dimensions : 47 x 26 x 68 cm; 3.54 Kilograms
- Date First Available : 7 August 2020
- Manufacturer : Samsonite South Asia Pvt. Ltd.
- ASIN : B08CS9NC8Y
- Item model number : FO1 (0) 09 002
- Country of Origin : India
- Department : Unisex-adult
- Manufacturer : Samsonite South Asia Pvt. Ltd., Samsonite South Asia Pvt Ltd, GAT NO 159 to 163 , Gonde Taluka,Igatpuri,Nashik-422403
- Packer : Samsonite South Asia Pvt Ltd, GAT NO 159 to 163 , Gonde Taluka,Igatpuri,Nashik-422403
- Importer : Samsonite South Asia Pvt Ltd, GAT NO 159 to 163 , Gonde Taluka,Igatpuri,Nashik-422403
- Item Weight : 3 kg 540 g
- Item Dimensions LxWxH : 47 x 26 x 68 Centimeters
- Net Quantity : 1 Piece
- Generic Name : Hardsided Check-in Luggage
- Best Sellers Rank: #12 in Bags, Wallets and Luggage
Product details
- Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
- Product Dimensions : 17 x 7 x 14.5 cm; 486.26 Grams
- Date First Available : 25 February 2021
- ASIN : B08XJPCL9D
- Item part number : f(0)343
- Country of Origin : India
- Department : Adults
- Item Weight : 486 g
- Item Dimensions LxWxH : 17 x 7 x 14.5 Centimeters
- Net Quantity : 3.00 unit
- Generic Name : Trolly Bag Set
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,410 in Bags, Wallets and Luggage
Product details
- Product Dimensions : 55 x 32 x 79 cm; 4.23 Kilograms
- Date First Available : 11 December 2019
- Manufacturer : SAMSONITE SOUTH ASIA PVT. LTD
- ASIN : B082N6FVQH
- Item model number : KAM KIZA SP 79CM - ASH BLUE
- Country of Origin : India
- Manufacturer : SAMSONITE SOUTH ASIA PVT. LTD, SAMSONITE SOUTH ASIA PVT. LTD GAT NO.159 TO 163,GONDE,TALUKA-IGATPURI NASIK 422403;Tel No. 02553-229700
- Packer : SAMSONITE SOUTH ASIA PVT. LTD GAT NO.159 TO 163,GONDE,TALUKA-IGATPURI NASIK 422403;Tel No. 02553-229700
- Item Weight : 4 kg 230 g
- Item Dimensions LxWxH : 55 x 32 x 79 Centimeters
- Net Quantity : 1 unit
- Included Components : Luggage-Hard
- Generic Name : Luggage-Hard
- Best Sellers Rank: #111 in Bags, Wallets and Luggage
