Mignot & De Block Buys EFKA Tube Factory

Imperial Tobacco has sold its EFKA filter tube factory in Trossingen, Germany, to F + C Papiervertriebsgesellschaft for an undisclosed amount.

The buyer is part of Mignot & De Block, a Dutch group known in Germany mainly through its subsidiary, Gizeh Raucherbedarf.

Imperial Tobacco discontinued filter tube production in Trossingen in the first half of 2020 in the wake of declining production quantities and the loss of trademark agreements.

The EFKA brand, patents and other trademark rights remain property of Imperial Tobacco.

“EFKA has been an integral part of Trossingen for more than 108 years,” said Helmut Rutschke, managing director of EFKA. “To have to halt our production here is still very painful personally, particularly with regard to the employees affected. On the other hand, we are pleased to be able to hand the location over to a buyer that wants to continue production—and, with it, an important part of Trossingen’s economic tradition. We wish all parties involved every success.”

“We are delighted to lead a well-positioned production location with highly qualified employees into a new future, even beyond the production of filter tubes,” said Christian Hinz, CEO of the Mignot & De Block Group Germany. “Our investment in the site is long-term and growth-oriented.”

A total of 121 employees were affected by the halt of production at EFKA in Trossingen. Imperial Tobacco presented them with a variety of support offers and an extensive social plan.