Jai Krishnan, CEO – India, Samsonite South Asia
Having established Nashik as its largest manufacturing base, Samsonite, one of the world’s largest hard luggage manufacturers, plans to further expand capacity at a new location on the back of growing demand.
The company recently tripled its factory capacity in Nashik to 7 lakh pieces per month after completing the second phase of expansion with a cumulative investment of about ₹250 crore.
The Nashik facility produces for brands such as Samsonite, American Tourister and Kamiliant. Samsonite is the largest luggage company in the world, with a dominant 20 per cent global market share and $3.6 billion in annual revenue.
Jai Krishnan, CEO – India, Samsonite South Asia, told businessline that the company has already tested full-capacity operations at 7 lakh pieces and is currently producing 5.5 lakh pieces a month, with a utilisation level of about 80-85 per cent.
The Nashik facility has already emerged as the largest luggage factory worldwide by production volume and square footage, surpassing facilities in Belgium and Hungary, he said.
New plant plans
The company plans to decide on the next expansion location in the next 12-18 months, weighing options across India, including pitches from Odisha, said Krishan.
However, he said the leadership team prefers to keep the new plant close to Nashik due to the established ecosystem, workforce stability and proximity to home, despite rising land costs.
Once approved by the Board, construction for new plants is expected to take about 9-12 months, with modern prefab options under consideration to speed up setup, he added.
Reflecting the pride in local manufacturing excellence and global competitiveness, the company wants to promote “Made in Nashik for the World”, he said.
Despite growing competition from new players, the company has never entered a price war to protect market share, as it would have a long-term impact on brand equity, he said.
Retail growth
The company has targets to increase its retail outlets to 1,000 over 5 years, from about 600 stores, with a focus on small towns and emerging cities. It opens about 50 new stores annually, using a franchise model to maintain brand consistency and reach.
Online sales currently account for about 16 per cent of total revenue, driven by marketplaces such as Amazon and Flipkart, with expected growth in digital channels.
Samsonite focuses on premiumisation and quality, with a product mix that includes lighter bags and specialised luggage for shorter, frequent trips, reflecting changing travel patterns among younger consumers.
Published on December 24, 2025
