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The story
Rimowa traces its origins to 1898, when Paul Morszeck established a luggage-making business in Cologne. The company initially operated under the name Görtz & Morszeck with Heinrich Görtz before Morszeck became its sole director.
During the 1920s, Paul Morszeck's son Richard became involved in the company. The company increasingly experimented with aluminium, a material whose use was growing in aircraft construction. In 1931, Richard Morszeck registered the Rimowa trademark at the Reich Patent Office in Berlin. The name "Rimowa" was derived from Richard Morszeck Warenzeichen, with Warenzeichen meaning "trademark".
During the 1930s, a fire at the company's factory destroyed much of its stock and materials while leaving its aluminium inventory intact. Aluminium subsequently became an important material in the company's luggage production.
In 1950, Rimowa introduced parallel grooves to the aluminium shells of its suitcases. The design was influenced by the appearance of early all-metal aircraft and became one of the company's identifying visual features.
During the 1970s, Dieter Morszeck, representing the third generation of the family, joined the company. In 1978, he developed a waterproof case intended for professional photography and filmmaking equipment. Rimowa expanded into the Japanese market in 1979.
In 2000, Rimowa began producing suitcases made from polycarbonate, providing a lighter alternative to its aluminium luggage.
In October 2016, Rimowa joined the LVMH Group after LVMH acquired an 80% stake in the company for €640 million. Rimowa became LVMH's first German company, and Alexandre Arnault subsequently became CEO.
In 2018, Rimowa introduced a new visual identity created with the London design studio Commission.
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Hugues Bonnet-Masimbert became chief executive in January 2021, coinciding with the introduction of the Never Still range of backpacks and travel bags.
In 2022, Rimowa introduced a lifetime guarantee for new suitcases covering functional damage. Beatrice Monguidi succeeded Bonnet-Masimbert as chief executive in June 2026.
Rimowa manufactures products at facilities in Germany, the Czech Republic and Canada.
From Wikipedia’s article on Rimowa, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.5