A clear case of success

MANILA, Philippines - In case you hadn’t noticed, global travel is now more popular than ever. And people who trot around the globe swear by luggage that’s strong, stylish and secure. Increasingly, they swear by Rimowa.

You’ve seen Rimowa’s suitcases: tough yet lightweight, with a distinctive aluminium contour construction that’s both waterproof and able to last as long as you do, they’re the choice of discerning world travelers who favor a touch of elegance.

And you can’t get them just anywhere. The Rimowa Group manufactured over 750,000 cases last year and sold them through selected retailers, company stores and flagship stores in over 65 countries around the world — including Adora in Makati City’s upscale Greenbelt 5.

“2011 was absolutely gigantic!” says Dieter Morszeck, the founder’s grandson and CEO of Rimowa, of this year’s sales. “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. We hope our customers understand that and as soon as we have our production facilities set up, we will be able to meet the stronger demand as before.” 

For over a century, the Rimowa Group has been bringing luxury to travel. The first Rimowa case was produced in 1898 at its case factory in Cologne. At the time, the name of the company was Kofferfabrik Paul Morszeck. At the turn of the 20th century, cases were made of wood but the Cologne factory was already pioneering a design that was as lightweight as possible. Within a few years, Rimowa’s large wardrobe and steamer trunks had become the travel companions of high society.

Topas: The classic among the modern traveler. This classic aluminium luggage by Rimowa today is among the lightest and most stable cases in the world.

The Rimowa Group, with its parent company in Cologne and its subsidiaries in North America, South America, Europe and Asia, experienced terrific growth in 2011. Among the highlights in 2011 were the opening of Rimowa flagship stores in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Milan, Prague, Tokyo and Taipei. Existing production facilities are now being expanded and new ones are being built — including one in Czech Republic and expansion of the Canada plant in 2012. “Rimowa currently employs over 1,000 people and we are pleased that we will probably be able to create even more jobs,” says Morszeck.

Every suitcase tells a story

The history of the company — whose luggage is highly valued by business travelers, flight crews, tourists, modern high-tech nomads and filmmakers and photographers — started over a century ago. It is a typically German success story of an enthusiastic visionary and his family business and their continuous rise to the position of global leading player.

 After the first suitcases were built in the Cologne factory at the turn of the 20th century, the company’s success spread.

By the 1920s, discerning globetrotters were delighted by the elegant cases produced by the company. In 1937, Richard Morszeck, the son of the company founder, brought the first steamer trunk made of lightweight metal onto the market. This is only the first of numerous brilliant innovative ideas upon which the global success of Rimowa is based. The brand name Rimowa was derived from the name of the company’s founder (Richard Morszeck Warenzeichen).

 By 1950, the first aluminium case with Rimowa’s signature contour structure was launched. The design combined minimum weight with maximum stability. Among the international jet set the contour cases quickly attained the status of cult objects.

Morszeck succeeded with another pioneering development in 1976: the first waterproof transport cases appear. These were in great demand among film and television crews and with professional photographers and reporters. The Rimowa waterproof system reliably protects sensitive equipment against water, humidity, tropical heat or arctic cold.

Topas Titanium: With a case from this series, the envy of your fellow travelers is ensured. It refines the classic Topas with a breathtaking titanium appearance. For the traveler with the highest standards.

 In 2000, Dieter Morszeck, who since 1981 has been the third-generation family member to head the company, turned to the recyclable material polycarbonate for case construction. Polycarbonate, which is used for airplane panels and in vehicle construction, is extremely resilient and shockproof; dents regain their original form by themselves. With polycarbonate, it was possible to greatly reduce the weight of the case while maintaining great stability. Rimowa was thus the first luggage manufacturer worldwide to use this practically indestructible plastic. It was a design revolution: within a short time, almost all competitors followed with their own polycarbonate lines; however, none has been as prized or successful as Rimowa, whose luggage continues to win top honors in international comparisons and resilience tests. The use of the new material is a concise example of the implementation of Dieter Morszeck’s credo: “Craft meets high tech.”

 From 2000 to 2006, product lines were further diversified and equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Among other things, innovations include the patented Multiwheel systems greatly increased the mobility of its suitcases. Thanks to technology adapted from office chairs, even heavy cases could now be rotated, almost playfully, on their axis. Moreover, the new cases were equipped with certified combination locks with combined closing cylinders, which can be opened for inspection purposes by the American Transportation Security Administration (TSA) upon arrival in the USA.

Powerhouse brands Rimowa, Cathay Pacific and American Express have come together to give everyone a chance to take advantage of a great escape, may it be within the beautiful confines of our exotic locale or offshore to a far off place. From now until Jan. 31, 2012, a minimum purchase of any Rimowa luggage with your locally issued Cathay Pacific American Express Elite or Standard Credit Card (BDO) automatically grants you 5,000 bonus miles care of Asia Miles. As for other American Express Credit Cards such as Platinum Peso, IDC Green, IDC Gold, IDC Platinum and Centurion Gold, a Rimowa purchase gives you 2,500 bonus miles.

 Rimowa stores are located at Ground Level Greenbelt 5, Adora Greenbelt 5, ground level Power Plant Mall Rockwell, ground level Newport Mall Resorts World, 2nd Level Glorietta 4 and 2nd level Shangri-la Plaza.