A premium brand backed by history and tradition

For over more than a century, RIMOWA’s products have had a special status in the sector. It is one of the few manufacturers producing luggage in Germany. It is possibly the only manufacturer with such a continuous history and link with tradition – an exception in the industry. For RIMOWA, “Made in Germany” means: Excellent materials, brilliant technology and extraordinary design with the highest quality of workmanship.

Pioneering Design
The world’s first aluminium travel case, invented in 1937 by Richard Morszeck, son of the company founder Paul Morszeck, was inspired by aircraft aluminium. Then in 1950, grooves were put on the cases for unparalleled lightness and durability. Today these grooved aluminium cases have become iconic symbols of travel.

Richard’s son, Dieter, now runs the Cologne-based family company, the third generation to do so. In 2000, Dieter Morszeck introduced another revolution in luggage design by inventing polycarbonate (used in aerospace technology) cases for the brand.

Handcraft meets high-tech
For quality control, all RIMOWA cases are German engineered and 100% crafted in the four factories in Germany, Czech Republic, Canada and Brazil. Strict attention to detail has always been part of the brand’s history and this year is no different.

Around 200 parts are assembled in over 90 processes, with a perfect balance of modern technology and careful craftsmanship. RIMOWA also developed processes such as the polycarbonate casing mold to ensure flexibility, strength and an ultra-lightweight product.

Achievements in 2011
The RIMOWA Group is expecting enormous growth for the 2011 business year and estimates around 145 million euros in sales, a 45% increase as compared to 2010. This follows an already considerable growth in 2010 for the Group, its biggest in history. The parent company, RIMOWA GmbH, reported increased sales of approximately 40% in 2010 and it is expected to record an increase of a similar scale for 2011.

“2011 is absolutely gigantic! We were able to record strong growth once again. We did not expect such great success this year. We are currently doing everything possible to meet the demand, however the quality of our products always comes first, and we cannot simply quickly increase production. Even  with increased production, we have to maintain a high standard of quality. Our delivery time is longer than usual due to current orders, but we  hope our customers understand that and as soon as we have our production facilities set up, we will be able to meet demand as before,” said Dieter Morszeck, the founder’s grandson and CEO of RIMOWA.

In 2011, the RIMOWA Group manufactured over 750,000 cases and sold them through selected retailers, company stores and flagship stores in over 65 countries around the world. “The Group currently employs over 1,000 people and we are pleased that we will probably be able to create even more jobs,”Morszeck added.

2011 Highlights
Among the highlights this year were the openings of RIMOWA flagship stores in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Milan, Prague, Tokyo, Taipei, and Shenyang, China

Another milestone in RIMOWA’s history was this year’s RIMOWA JU52 events. RIMOWA is the sponsor of the classic Junkers airplane and organized several retailer events in Europe this summer. “Our relationship with the JU52 is very special. We have found a great partner and are able to tell a common success story. Our company’s history quite clearly began with aviation and we like to think of the JU52 as the first flying RIMOWA aluminum case with grooves. For me, it is always quite special to sit in this plane and to see the world from above”, said Morszeck.

Outlook for 2012
For the year 2012, RIMOWA will open more stores and expand its retail spaces in Macau and China.

It will be opening its Macau Flagship Store in Venetian Macao by March/ April 2012. The RIMOWA store in Venetian Macao will be expanded, covering an area of approximately 3,000 square feet. It will be the largestRIMOWA store in Hong Kong and Macau. 

A new store will also be opening in Galaxy, Macau in the first quarter of 2012. It will be the brand’s fourth store in Macau.

RIMOWA also plans to enter new cities in China, including Nanjing and Chengdu.

The Group’s existing production facilities are being developed and new ones are being built. A new hightech plant is being built in the Czech Republic to meet the growth. A new construction project is also planned for the plant in Canada. The headquarters in Cologne is being expanded and adapted to meet the growing demand. Many new jobs were created in 2011 and RIMOWA does not yet see an end to this growth.

In 2012, RIMOWA is planning to expand its network in Asia in the following markets: Ho Ching Ming City in Vietnam, and the cities of Jarkata and Bali in Indonesia.

FAST FACTS
• 1950 The first aluminium suitcase with the characteristic grooves is launched on the market by RIMOWA. 

• 2000 Dieter Morszeck commissions the first light-weight luggage series out of polycarbonate. RIMOWA becomes the first manufacturer to introduce polycarbonate material to the production of luggage.

• 2010 RIMOWA opens flagship store at its headquarter – Cologne, Germany, with an exhibit showcasing the entire history of the company on the second floor in the first RIMOWA museum in the world. 

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Tags: RIMOWA, Mr. Dieter Morszeck, Hong Kong Business High-Flyers awardees