Samsonite briefcase comes with Bluetooth

HANOVER, Germany -- Looking like something from a Star Wars movie, a business briefcase fitted with Bluetooth wireless technology is being shown this week at the CeBIT trade show by luggage manufacturer Samsonite. Called the Samsonite Hardlite, the stylish case "will be brought to market in the coming year."

Without the Bluetooth technology, the case will be available in retail stores throughout Europe by April, according to a Samonsite announcement.

This is a long way from its beginning for Samsonite, which started in Denver, Colorado, in 1910 as a maker of luggage that was tough enough to withstand rough trips to gold mines. Although a well-known global brand, Samsonite began losing sales in recent decades to more fashion-conscious luggage manufacturers.

Prada and Gucci

In an attempt to turn Samsonite around, Luc Van Nevel, a native of Belgium, was appointed president of CEO in 1998. He had previously directed the company's European operations. Van Nevel introduced new lines designed by some of Europe's biggest names in fashion, such as Prada, Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana.

Although the high fashion accounted for a very small part of gross sales, Van Nevel frankly said his goal was to upgrade the global brand image of Samsonite. The Hardlite with Bluetooth wireless is another cutting edge move for Samsonite.

Van Nevel's long-range efforts suffered after the terrorist attacks of September 11. Nasdaq delisted Samsonite two months ago after its share price dropped below standards. Samsonite lost its appeal, arguing that travel related companies should be given some leniency. Despite all this, Samsonite's management remains optimistic.

Part of this optimism is found in the eye-catching Samsonite Hardlite with Bluetooth, which provides a relatively low-cost wireless local area network (WLAN) for notebook computers and other handheld devices.

At CeBIT, Samsonite says its Hardlite has the following advantages for the traveler:

▪ Tracking: the Bluetooth chip in the Hardlite case can be used as a carrier of vital information, which is necessary for travel, flight information, and gate connections, for example. 

▪ Anti-theft: the built-in technology will notify the owner if the case is being removed.

▪ Security: the chip can contain personal data that will identify the owner of the product.

The Bluetooth application was developed in co-operation with RFI Mobile Technologies AG, Samsonite's partner in this project and also distributor of cases and notebook accessories.