Samsonite India to Ramp Up Manufacturing Capacity to 700,000 Units Per Month

India has surpassed other places like Hungary and Belgium to become the largest production base for American bag maker Samsonite after two phases of capacity expansions requiring capital expenditures of INR 250 crore. In just six years, the company has successfully increased the capacity of its Nashik facility to produce 7 lakh pieces each month.

The Samsonite, American Tourister, and Kamiliant brands are used by the corporation to manufacture luggage units. Production doubled from roughly 2.2 lakh to 4.3 lakh pieces per month by the time the first phase, which started before COVID, was finished in 2021. With the official opening of phase two in December 2024, capacity was increased to 7 lakh pieces; tested peak use reached that figure once. With a current utilisation rate of 80–85% and a monthly production of about 5.5 lakh pieces, there is still opportunity for growth prior to the next expansion, which is scheduled for 12–18 months from now.

India has Become a Phenomenal Market for Samsonite: Krishna

According to Jai Krishnan, CEO-India of Samsonite South Asia Private Limited, the company had extraordinary growth after COVID, growing 70% more than it had before the pandemic and significantly exceeding the industry Compound Annual Growth Rate [CAGR] during the previous six years. 2024 was a quiet year, which was to be expected given the market's extraordinary expansion, which was fuelled by more travel and wise strategic choices.

Due to India's overall economic trajectory and corporate concentration on beating global growth rates, Krishnana stated, growth restarted in 2025 and would be sustained. He claimed that the company was concentrating on quality and premiumisation, aiming to attract customers who were prepared to spend extra for sturdy, repairable luggage.

With an emphasis on small towns and developing cities, the company intends to expand its retail network to 1,000 locations in the next few years, from its current 600 locations nationally. According to Krishnan, Samsonite India uses franchising strategies to access viable markets, such as taluka and district headquarters, and maintain brand consistency while opening about 50 new stores every year.

How Samsonite Operates in India?

With the rise of digital channels anticipated, online sales presently make up around 16% of overall revenue, driven by marketplaces like Amazon and Flipkart. According to Krishnan, exports account for roughly 10% of monthly output (5.5 lakh pieces), mostly supplying internal group companies in Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe.

The factory's manufacturing self-sufficiency and supply chain resilience have been improved by the substantial indigenisation of its components. Within the next 12 to 18 months, the business intends to select the site for its next growth, considering proposals from Odisha as well as choices in North, South, and East India. New plant construction is anticipated to take nine to twelve months, while contemporary prefab options are being considered to expedite setup.