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Samsonite Corporation (1910-1973)

 Organization

Biography

The Shwayder family of Denver, Colorado is best known for what became the world-famous luggage company Samsonite Corporation, which was founded and operated by the Shwayder family. In 1910, Jesse Shwayder opened a small luggage factory in Denver with his father, Isaac, and brothers, Mark, Maurice, Benjamin, and Solomon. In the year before opening the factory, Jesse worked as a salesman for the Seward Luggage New York City. The business became incorporated as the Shwayder Trunk Manufacturing Company in 1912, and it eventually changed its name to Samsonite Corporation. All the Shwayder brothers held executive positions in the company in the 1920s. Jesse was the company's president, Mark Shwayder directed sales, Maurice and Ben Shwayder oversaw manufacturing, and Solomon Shwayder served as the company’s lawyer. Samson, after Jesse's favorite biblical hero, was the first trade name for the company’s luggage, and this was later changed to Samsonite. Shwayder Trunk Manufacturing Company started to diversify its product offerings in the 1930s by manufacturing folding furniture, and the company changed its name to Shwayder Brothers, Inc. in 1931. As sales increased throughout the 20th century, the company moved into gradually larger facilities in Denver, and at various stages in the business’ history, it opened additional plants in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Arizona, Mexico, and Japan. In 1961, Jesse Shwayder’s son, King D. Shwayder, became president of the company, and in 1965 the Shwayder Brothers, Inc., changed its name to Samsonite Corporation. The Shwayders sold the Samsonite Corporation in 1973.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Cabin Built by Maurice B. Shwayder, between 1940-1948

 Item
Identifier: B063.08.0033.0005.00002
Abstract Cabin in Colorado mountains that was built by Maurice B. Shwayder at his fishing camp. The cabin stands in front a mountain side with trees. Cars and a truck are parked by the cabin. When Maurice Shwayder died in 1948, his widow Ruth Shwayder donated 242 acres in the Colorado mountains to Congregation Emanual for use as a camp for Jewish children and it became the Shwayder Camp of Congregation Emanual. Maurice Shwayder helped found the Samonsite Luggage Company with his four brothers. He was...
Dates: between 1940-1948

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