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Jesse Shwayder

American businessman, founder of Samsonite Corporation From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jesse Shwayder (March 26, 1882 – July 25, 1970) was an American businessman. He was the founder, president and chairman of the Samsonite Corporation, "the world's largest luggage manufacturer" by the time of his death.

Born(1882-03-26)March 26, 1882
DiedJuly 25, 1970(1970-07-25) (aged 88)
Denver, Colorado, U.S.
OccupationBusinessman
Quick facts Born, Died ...
Jesse Shwayder
Born(1882-03-26)March 26, 1882
DiedJuly 25, 1970(1970-07-25) (aged 88)
Denver, Colorado, U.S.
OccupationBusinessman
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Early life

Shwayder was born on March 16, 1882, in Black Hawk, Colorado.[1][2] He was of Polish-Jewish descent.[3] His father, Isaac, owned a grocery store followed by a furniture store in Denver, where Shwayder worked as a teenager.[1][3]

Career

Shwayder began his career as a salesman for the Seward Trunk Co. in New York City.[3]

Shwayer founded the Shwayder Trunk Manufacturing Company in Denver in 1910.[2] He served as its president from 1910 to 1960,[3] and later served as its chairman.[1] The company introduced a new suitcase called Samsonite in 1939, and it changed its name to the Samsonite Corporation in 1965.[4]

Shwayder was inducted into the Colorado Business Hall of Fame posthumously, in 1991.[4]

Personal life and death

Shwayder married Nellie Weitz. They had a son and four daughters.[1]

Shwayder died on July 25, 1970, in Denver, at age 88.[1][2] By the time of his death, Samsonite had become "the world's largest luggage manufacturer."[5]

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