Richemont North America Inc.

Apr 20th, 2019

As a retail consultant,I have followed the career of johann rupert with awe and admiration. He is a brilliant and visionary businessman . I am however puzzled by something I encountered recently . An article in the 8/31/18 issue of "how to spend it" (a financial times supplement) is titled "Johann Rupert is on a mission to save Europe's artisnal skills". It talks about the Great work his Michaelangelo Foundation is doing to preserve cottage industries around Europe and helping companies continue to make goods in a traditional handmade fashion . This is great!!!! This is what I don't understand . Richemont division Alfred Dunhill has a wonderful workshop at 32 st Andrew's st in Walthamstow,England that has been making the best leather briefcases,travel bags and all manner of leathergoods since 1936 .so what has happened Andrew Maag is put in charge of Dunhill and within a year the decision was made not to make bags in england,anymore and they will now be made in Italy. There was an article in Bloomberg last year about thus factory and how much work went into their iconic Wosley Doctors Bag,which is actually a traditional top frame briefcase that a briefcase is also being discontinued. Mr Maag is looking for a " digital transformation" at Dunhill and obviously fine hand made British leather goods,which are part of Dunhill legacy are not part of it. My question to Mr Rupert now becomes obvious . If you are supporting "Europe's artisnal skills" how did you let this happen?!? I know you hired Mr Maag to run dunhill but isn't there a contradiction here .preserving these artisnal skills begins at home ,Mr Rupert. I urge you to reconsider this decision by Mr Maag and once again make this items in England. I have purchased several and I know others who have visited Bourbon House and saw Tomas and the incredible pride these items bring to both the maker and user Even though Dunhill is now selling leather pants and shirts and loud,garnish attire in the store,doesn't mean there isn't room for tradition. Mr Rupert,this is an industry worth supporting Unless of course you plan on changing the name of company to "Dunhiilli"and claiming a long-time Italian tradition in leathergoods. If that's the plan then obviously disregard the above concerns
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