RIMOWA grows footprint in Cambridge after strong 2015
February 26, 2016
By Manufacturing AUTOMATION
Feb. 26, 2016 – The RIMOWA Group is submitting its preliminary annual report for 2015, which reveals a 28.2-per-cent increase in sales over 2014 (roughly C$537 million); this includes a 37-per-cent increase in North American sales alone.
The luggage manufacturer says the record year is a result of several factors, including “high product quality, its long-standing history and the innovative strength of the company.”
Currently, RIMOWA North America manufactures products in an 80,000-sq.-ft. facility on Vondrau Drive in Cambridge, Ont. It recently procured additional space, also in Cambridge, which offers 40,000 sq. ft. for future growth, says the company, adding that the new building will allow it to “increase responsiveness to the consumer demand for products” and “shorten production lead times.”
The company currently employs approximately 500 people in the region, and plans to add an additional 130 employees by the end of the year. The decision to expand the manufacturing in Cambridge was made due to the “great success of the company since opening its Canadian facility in 2008,” it notes.
“The calibre of talent in the region is unparalleled” said Amy Jakubaitis, public relations and marketing manager of RIMOWA North America. “We really feel we have the best of the best working for us, and the support of the province of Ontario, the City of Cambridge and the Region of Waterloo has helped us grow our business here over the past eight years.”
RIMOWA president and CEO Dieter Morszeck says he is optimistic about the new year. “I am extremely proud of the current results and I’m confident that this expansion still has a long way to go. The fact that we currently have over 130 RIMOWA stores all over the world speaks in favour of this, too. The year 2016 is destined for success.”
Due to increased demand for its suitcases, the company’s global production sites have also been expanded. Last year, a new building was erected at its Cologne, Germany, headquarters which it says has “enabled the implementation of innovative production processes.” This year, another production facility will extend the Cologne site further. As well, production and storage areas have been expanded in the Czech Republic.
