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Our Bureau

Pune , Jan. 3

SAMSONITE will launch its Black Label range of designer luggage simultaneously across markets in Europe, US, Japan and India end-January.

Interestingly, Stream Line — the moulded luggage line will be manufactured for worldwide markets at the company's manufacturing facility in Nasik.

At the launch of the company's new store here on Tuesday, Mr E.P. Suresh Menon, Executive Director and Vice-President Sales and Marketing, said that under the Black Label collection various international designers, including Australian Marck Newson and Philipe Starck, would periodically launch individual lines for the label.

The premium label, with price tags upwards of Rs 20,000, will be available through standalone boutiques at high street locations, four of them to begin with in Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi, by April this year, he said.

With sales exceeding Rs 120 crore in the year just ended and exports over Rs 146 crore, the company is now preparing for further growth. There are plans to add new stores in tier-two cities and metros to take the total number of stores to 160 from the current 132. The company will also expand its portfolio with luggage accessories from companies with which it has licence agreements. First off the mark will be a range of outdoors luggage, including backpacks, from Timberland to be launched in June, Mr Menon said.

The company is simultaneously increasing its manufacturing capacities by investing in and supporting a community of ancillary units around its Nasik factory to source various parts, including the body shell and wheels. "We currently have five such ancillaries supplying us and are adding at least three more this year in Nasik and Pune to significantly increase our production numbers," Mr Menon said.

The Nasik factory produces 50,000 hard moulded luggage units every month, beating the company's other plant in China which manufactures about 6,000 units/month. "We will invest approximately Rs 20 crore this year to expand capacities and add ancilliaries," he added.

Meanwhile, Samsonite South Asia Pvt Ltd is also gearing up to expand business through increased presence in the region. The company plans to launch 20 outlets in 2006, beginning with Kuwait where it plans a launch on January 26, Mr Menon said.

"When we launched in India seven years ago we found it a hard market to crack since our brand was perceived to be very expensive. Today we are placed in the Rs 5,000-plus segment and still not perceived as expensive. Our new label will be positioned as affordable luxury and we expect sales of at least Rs 4 crore in the first year," he added.

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