Rimowa laying off 149 employees at Cambridge plant

Rimowa says layoffs needed for profitability From CTV Kitchener’s Stu Gooden: A designer luggage manufacturer is laying off 149 employees at its Cambridge operation.

Restructuring at a designer luggage manufacturing company will leave nearly 150 people out of work.

Rimowa, which is based in Germany, says 149 employees at its facility on Vondrau Drive in Cambridge are being laid off.

Employees say they were notified of the layoffs at a 9 a.m. meeting.

“(They said) they tried everything … they tried their best, but it doesn’t work,” employee Daraje Leiyu said.

In a statement, company officials said that the layoffs are part of a process to ensure Rimowa’s ability to grow its profitability.

“The steps we are taking are critical to ensure that the Cambridge operations will be able to most effectively support the success of the company into the future,” the statement reads.

Rimowa's Cambridge operation opened in 2008, following a local delegation’s trip to Germany to drum up business.

Coun. Donna Reid was at the opening, and for other ceremonies over the years as the company expanded its presence in the city.

“We’ve always looked to this company as being one of our success stories,” she said Wednesday.

“Our hearts go out to all of those people who won’t have that job any longer.”

With reporting by Stu Gooden