Darrell Elliott has worked for Samsonite Corp. in Denver for more than eight years, handling tasks in the company’s distribution center.
So when the luggage-maker Wednesday announced plans to close its Denver facility by the end of next year, Elliott was a little disappointed.
But he wasn’t surprised.
“It wasn’t really a shock,” said Elliott, as he left the company’s facility.
Elliott, 50, said Samsonite workers had speculated for months that the company would shutter its Denver facility, which handles distribution, human resources, finance and customer service. The company said it would offer to transfer some of its 265 Denver workers to other locations.
Elliott said Samsonite has a distribution facility in Jacksonville, Fla., and that if his job is moved there, he would probably go.
“I’d miss the mountains,” he acknowledged.
Several employees said the announcement came during a 9 a.m. meeting inside the company’s cafeteria. Marcello Bottoli, the Belgium-based president and chief executive, was on site to break the news, employees said.
“It’s the right call at the right time,” said Tom LeBlanc, vice president of human resources. “It’s sad to have consolidation, but it’s not unexpected.”
LeBlanc said it’s unclear how many workers will be offered transfers. He said division heads in Denver will help make those decisions.
Staff writer Will Shanley can be reached at 303-820-1260 or wshanley@denverpost.com.
