PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dieter Morszeck, grandson of the founder of RIMOWA, has chosen to partner with the LVMH Group with a view to preserving the spirit of excellence and the long-term vision that have inspired his family and the company's employees for over a century.
Under the terms of the agreement, Dieter Morszeck will sell a majority stake to the LVMH Group while continuing to hold equity in the business and maintaining his leadership functions.
RIMOWA will then become the first German Maison of the LVMH Group.
Upon completion of the transaction, Alexandre Arnault will be appointed co-CEO of RIMOWA.
Founded in Cologne in 1898, luggage and leather goods maker RIMOWA has become one of the quintessential houses for innovative, high-quality luggage over the course of the twentieth century. The business has built its reputation designing lightweight and easy to use luggage and RIMOWA suitcases today serve as the industry benchmark for German quality.
Since its creation by Paul Morszeck, innovation has been at the heart of RIMOWA’s strategy. In 1937, his son Richard launched the first aluminium suitcase available on the market. The aluminium structure comprising parallel grooves makes the luggage instantly recognisable and has played its part in building the reputation of RIMOWA among a sophisticated international clientele. His son Dieter designed the first waterproof metal case in 1976, since which time RIMOWA suitcases have become the travelling companion of choice for the greatest filmmakers, photographers and journalists.
RIMOWA revolutionised the industry when it launched the first polycarbonate suitcase in 2000. A patented system of ball bearings ensures optimum stability. Since 2014, RIMOWA has also been developing its exclusive “Bossa Nova” range which combines lightweight polycarbonate with the elegance of leather. This suitcase is a tribute to the English artist and botanist Margaret Mee who devoted her life to painting and protecting plants from the Amazon. RIMOWA donates a portion of its sales to the Association Saúde e Alegria which supports social projects in the Amazon.
More recently, in partnership with Lufthansa, RIMOWA has launched the RIMOWA Electronic Tag. This innovative feature simplifies baggage check-in by matching, with the use of a smartphone, the boarding card with a Bluetooth electronic tag integrated only within RIMOWA suitcases.
For over 60 years, RIMOWA suitcases have been inspired by the remarkable story of commercial aviation and the fuselage of the first metallic plane, the Junkers F-13. Thanks to the financial support and pioneering spirit of RIMOWA, a seven year project made it possible to reconstruct this legendary aircraft. The inaugural flight took place on September 15, 2016, nearly a century after its first commercial use in 1919. This revival embodies the exceptional heritage of the House.
Dieter Morszeck said: "My grandfather founded RIMOWA more than a century ago and I joined the company 44 years ago. By entrusting this family venture to the LVMH Group, we are guaranteeing a promising future to all RIMOWA employees. Over the past two years I have had the opportunity to establish close ties with the Arnault family, and in particular with Alexandre. Alexandre and I have discussed at length the attractive development prospects available to us and the common values that we share. I am delighted that he is joining RIMOWA and I have full confidence in his ability to accelerate the development of the business by my side.”
Alexandre Arnault said: "RIMOWA is a superb business which I have followed as a loyal customer for many years. RIMOWA has revolutionised the luggage industry for over a century, its suitcases are renowned for their unique performance, quality and design. I am honored to join RIMOWA and to be working alongside Dieter.”
Bernard Arnault said: "RIMOWA is a brand with a unique heritage. We share with Dieter Morszeck the same passion for innovation and a common desire to offer very high-quality products derived from a European tradition of craftsmanship. What’s more, it brings me great pleasure that RIMOWA will be the first German house to join the LVMH Group. Germany is recognised all over the world for the vitality of its family businesses and for the quality of their products. I am glad that LVMH will now have an opportunity to be part of this thanks to RIMOWA.”
While working on this transaction, Dieter Morszeck has also created the RIMOWA Dieter Morszeck Foundation to which a substantial part of the sale proceeds will be donated. The RIMOWA Dieter Morszeck Foundation aims to support projects in scientific research, public health, education and humanitarian aid both in Germany and internationally.
The transaction, subject to the approval of the competition authorities, relates to 80% of the shares for a value of 640 million euros and is due to complete in January 2017. RIMOWA revenue for 2016 are expected to exceed 400 million euros.
LVMH
LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton is represented in Wines and Spirits by a portfolio of brands that includes Moët & Chandon, Dom Pérignon, Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, Krug, Ruinart, Mercier, Château d’Yquem, Domaine du Clos des Lambrays, Château Cheval Blanc, Hennessy, Glenmorangie, Ardbeg, Wenjun, Belvedere, Chandon, Cloudy Bay, Terrazas de los Andes, Cheval des Andes, Cape Mentelle, Newton and Bodega Numanthia. Its Fashion and Leather Goods division includes Louis Vuitton, Céline, Loewe, Kenzo, Givenchy, Thomas Pink, Fendi, Emilio Pucci, Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs, Berluti, Nicholas Kirkwood and Loro Piana. LVMH is present in the Perfumes and Cosmetics sector with Parfums Christian Dior, Guerlain, Parfums Givenchy, Parfums Kenzo, Parfums Loewe as well as other promising cosmetic companies (BeneFit Cosmetics, Make Up For Ever, Acqua di Parma and Fresh). LVMH is also active in selective retailing as well as in other activities through DFS, Sephora, Le Bon Marché, La Samaritaine, Royal Van Lent and Cheval Blanc hotels. LVMH's Watches and Jewelry division comprises Bulgari, TAG Heuer, Chaumet, Dior Watches, Zenith, Fred, Hublot and De Beers Diamond Jewellers Ltd, a joint venture created with the world’s leading diamond group.
RIMOWA
RIMOWA is the global leader in premium and high technology luggage. Since 1898, RIMOWA has placed quality and innovation at its core, introducing Aluminium into the manufacture of its luggage in 1937 and polycarbonate from 2000. RIMOWA, which has 3,000 employees worldwide, provides integrated design and product development in Germany along with the majority of manufacturing, combining artisanal savoir-faire with precision technology. RIMOWA, headquartered in Cologne, is still led and owned by its founding family, enjoying continuous growth since 1982 under the chairmanship of Dieter Morszeck, grandson of Paul Morszeck, founder of the company. RIMOWA products are now distributed in 65 countries, through nearly 150 stores via licensees and a network of specialized partners, with a turnover expected to exceed 400 million euros at the end of 2016. In 2015, RIMOWA was named best company in the Mittelstand by the Munich Strategy Group.
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