Rewards for Road Warriors: Tumi Launches Alpha Collection May 05, 2008
By Anne Marie D. Lee
FXT ballistic nylon, aircraft-grade aluminum… No, this isn't the latest in high-tech body armor, it's luggage as only Tumi makes it. Introduced last month at the 2008 Travel Goods Association Show in San Diego, the new Alpha collection from Tumi shows off the elite luggage brand's greatest asset, a kick-butt design team.
Alpha is the stronger, smarter version of its Gen 4 line. Revolutionary features include FXT (Fusion Extra Tension) fabric, Tumi's push-button, telescoping handle—made stronger with aircraft-grade aluminum—and an oversized zipper system with tabs designed to detach from the luggage if caught in a conveyer. But what year-round travelers may prize most is the collection's lighter weight. Says Mike Landry, national sales manager, special markets for Tumi: "In luggage, it's all about weight these days. We've been able to carve a few pounds out of basically every bag in the line, which is very exciting for us."
Along with the launch of Alpha Collection, Tumi has announced a green initiative. The company plans to actively review the environmental friendliness of its own operations, and to take part in supporting nonprofit green organizations.
The start of the initiative officially took place in April, with a pledge made by Tumi to plant 100,000 trees in various reforestation projects administered and overseen by American Forests' Global ReLeaf campaign. Founded in 1875 by physician/horticulturist John Aston Warder, American Forests is the nation's oldest nonprofit citizens' conservation organization.
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