Daijiworld Media Network - Nashik
Nashik, Dec 24: India has emerged as the largest manufacturing base of American luggage major Samsonite after the company completed two phases of capacity expansion involving a capital expenditure of Rs 250 crore, overtaking traditional manufacturing locations such as Hungary and Belgium.
Over the past six years, Samsonite has successfully tripled production capacity at its Nashik facility to 7 lakh luggage pieces per month. The factory manufactures products under the Samsonite, American Tourister and Kamiliant brands.
The first phase of expansion, which began before the Covid-19 pandemic and was completed in 2021, doubled monthly output from around 2.2 lakh to 4.3 lakh pieces. The second phase was inaugurated in December 2024, taking total capacity to 7 lakh pieces per month, a level that has already been achieved during peak testing.
At present, the facility is operating at around 80–85 per cent capacity, producing nearly 5.5 lakh pieces per month, leaving scope for further growth ahead of the next expansion planned in the next 12 to 18 months.
“The company witnessed phenomenal growth post-Covid, registering nearly 70 per cent growth compared to pre-Covid levels and significantly outperforming the industry CAGR over the past six years,” said Jai Krishnan, CEO – India, Samsonite South Asia Private Limited.
He said 2024 saw a temporary slowdown, which was an expected market correction following an unprecedented surge driven by increased travel. “Growth has resumed in 2025 and we expect steady expansion in line with India’s strong economic trajectory and our focus on outperforming global growth rates,” Krishnan added.
The company is increasingly focusing on premiumisation, targeting consumers willing to pay more for durable and repairable luggage. Samsonite currently operates around 600 stores across the country and plans to expand the network to 1,000 stores in the coming years, with a focus on small towns and emerging cities.
“We open nearly 50 stores every year, largely through the franchising model, which helps us maintain brand consistency while expanding into taluka and district headquarters,” Krishnan said.
Online sales currently contribute about 16 per cent of total revenue, driven mainly by platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart, with digital channels expected to grow further.
Exports account for nearly 10 per cent of the factory’s monthly output, primarily catering to Samsonite’s group companies across Europe, the Middle East and Latin America.
The Nashik plant has also significantly indigenised components to reduce dependence on imports, strengthening supply chain resilience and manufacturing self-sufficiency.
Samsonite is expected to take a call on its next manufacturing location within 12 to 18 months, with potential options in north, south and east India, including proposals from Odisha. Construction of new facilities is likely to take 9–12 months, with modern prefab structures being considered to accelerate the process.