In regards to Mr. Brecher´s viewpoint on Samsonite Corp.´s demise (April 30, Page 6 Mailbag, “Samsonite didn´t hold plastic´s potential”), he is totally off base. The reason the Denver plant closed was a change in buying trends from consumers. The trend changed from hard-side to soft-side luggage as consumers preference went from vacations in cars to vacations on airplanes, where soft-side is crammed above in storage compartments.
Samsonite now makes soft-side luggage in Mexico using a lot of American products to assemble them. Their products are superior to the cheaper soft-side made in the Orient.
By the way, I still have my hard-side Samsonite briefcase I bought 20 years ago and it still looks brand new. I have just not been able to wear it out.
Mark C. Houghton
Central Plastics Inc.
McPherson, Kan.
