Leading global baggage manufacturer Samsonite Corp. has invested around 11 million euros to complete the construction of a second travel bag production plant at Szekszárd in southern Hungary.
The launch of the 20,000-square-meter facility, close to the Denver-based company's already expanded operation in the town, will raise capacity 17 percent to 1.7 million luggage units per year. The new plant is set to turn out a range of 15 different models to be sold in up to 100 countries.
Its construction, the third major investment project by the local group offshoot Samsonite -Hungária in Szekszárd since a plant there was originally set up in 1989, has created 100 new jobs. It has taken Samsonite's total national plant area to 40,000 square meters and workforce to 750.
Along with the new plant, Samsonite is reported by local media to be investing €6.4m to establish a center to support specialized technology training for workers at the plant.
Prior to the latest expansion, Samsonite-Hungária's annual output stood at 900,000 CURV PP based cases and 300,000 designer polycarbonate bags. The new plant could see its eventual annual production capacity nearly double reaching 2.3 million suitcases and bags, Samsonite Europe's president Arne Borrey was quoted as suggesting by regional media.
