March 13, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:

Susan Abbey, Director of Public Relations
Travel Goods Association
5 Vaughn Drive, Suite 105
Princeton, NJ 08540
609-720-1200, extension 205

TRG Group Receives 2007 Product Innovation Award
From The Travel Goods Association

Las Vegas, NV – The TRG Group, maker of Victorinox Swiss Army Travel Gear based in St. Louis, was awarded the 2007 Product Innovation Award from the Travel Goods Association (TGA), the industry trade group representing manufacturers and buyers of travel industry products.  The Award was presented at TGA’s annual Travel Goods Show, held this year in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The TGA Product Innovation Award recognizes outstanding achievement for the most innovative and unique products that will be available to consumers in the coming year.  TRG’s new Victorinox Hardside collection draws inspiration from the Swiss Army Knife to create an efficient, highly-functional take on traditional hardsided luggage.  

“Victorinox’s Hardside collection really embodies the style and function of the legendary Swiss Army knife, and that’s why we chose it for the first-place award,” explains TGA Awards Committee Chair Peter Cobb.  This is Victorinox’s first hardsided luggage collection.

In additional to lightweight durability and strength, the collection has four 360-degree wheels and includes a foot brake.  In addition, the bags were created with a special trunk-style lid design to allow travelers to open and close the trunk from the top, a new design for hardsided luggage.  The collection includes four sizes of wheeled luggage with airport-approved tweezers and a pen stored in the handle, and a train case (a hardsided cosmetic case).  The collection is available in red or black.

“We waited to come out with a hardsided collection until we could ensure it would meet the high standards of the Swiss Army brand,” explains Laurie Gilner, the president of TRG’s luggage division.  “Our product design team wanted to make sure we utilized Swiss ingenuity for travel gear.  This is our first Product Innovation Award from TGA, and we’re extremely pleased and honored to win this year for our new hardcase line.”

The second place winner was Tumi’s Theorem Collection, a new line of luggage that unites Tumi’s famous functionality and design with hi-tech materials. Theorem features carbon fiber handles and trim for lightweight technology, and includes tracer plate recovery systems in each piece.  The collection includes a 22” wheeled case with the handle and structure on the exterior, allowing for more space inside; a tri-fold garment bag; a boarding tote; a framed satchel; and two business cases.  The collection will be available in high-end department stores and specialty retailers.


Trunki by Magmatic was the third place winner with their innovative and colorful plastic suitcase for 3-6 year olds that holds toys, games or anything else they may want to carry with them.  The case has wheels, can be carried or pulled, and is strong enough for children to ride on.



The Travel Goods Association (TGA) is the national organization that represents the travel goods industry.  Its members include the manufacturers, distributors, retailers, promoters, sales representatives and suppliers of luggage and other products for people who travel.

TGA is also the sponsor of The Travel Goods Show, the largest annual exhibition of finished travel and leather goods in the world, where approximately 40,000 products from over 250 leading companies are on display for 5,000+ attendees every year.

(photos available)
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