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Category: Around the Industry

  • Davidoff Taps New Boss of USA Operations

    Davidoff Taps New Boss of USA Operations

    On Friday (Feb. 21), Oettinger Davidoff AG announced that Emanuele Uccellini would assume the role of new general manager and president for Davidoff of Geneva USA beginning March 3. The 38-year-old joins Davidoff after eight years at the Lavazza Group, where he served in multiple leadership positions in several countries. He also spent four years at Procter & Gamble in Italy.

    “I have tremendous confidence that with his experience and his innovative and dynamic mindset, Emanuele Uccellini will accelerate our business in the challenging U.S. market and take it to the next level,” said Beat Hauenstein, CEO of Oettinger Davidoff. “Emanuele has a proven track record of developing successful channel strategies that are based on win-win propositions and understands the importance and value of relationships built on trust and accountability.”

    Uccellini replaces Dylan Austin who served that position from 2019 to 2024.

    “I am very excited to join the Davidoff of Geneva USA family in Pinellas Park,” Uccellini said. “And I look forward to continuing driving the growth of the company’s strong brand portfolio together with the team, while at the same time strengthening its position as an indispensable business partner for our U.S. customers and partners.”

  • Croatian Smokers, Tobacco Growers on the Rise

    Croatian Smokers, Tobacco Growers on the Rise

    According to a study, 37% of people in Croatia used tobacco products last month, an increase of 4% from two years ago. Of those users, 74% smoked cigarettes, a 6% increase from 2023. The study was carried out by JA Trgovac magazine and Hendal, a respected global market research agency.

    Tobacco use, however, is creating a boon for the country. The research indicated that 20% of the users were spending upward of €4.50 per day on the taxed products. In addition, Hrvatski Duhani, a BAT subsidiary located in Virovitica, reported buying more than 4,500 tons of tobacco from 250 local growers last year for more than €20 million, an increase of 41% from two years earlier. 

  • Kingsmakers Partners with Carmelo Anthony

    Kingsmakers Partners with Carmelo Anthony

    Kingmakers Cigars announced the upcoming release of Versa, a premium cigar said to embody passion, excellence, and resilience. In its latest celebrity collaboration, the company is partnering with 10-time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony as the face of it.

    The name comes from the Latin word Versatilis, which stands for adaptability and strength. The cigar has a “complex yet smooth flavor profile that caters to both seasoned aficionados and newcomers.”

    According to Kingmakers, “the blend is comprised of a Habano 2000 wrapper, a Sumatra binder, and filler tobacco from Nicaragua and Pennsylvania. This medium-to-full-bodied smoke starts with notes of black pepper and spicy chili before transitioning to creamy undertones and nut and espresso notes. The cigar finishes with notes of dark chocolate, molasses, roasted almonds, and deep, leathery, and earthy notes. The finish also has subtle hints of dried fruits and black coffee, making for a memorable smoking experience.”

    Versa will be available March 31, 2025, and is currently available for pre-sale.

  • Ferio Tego Available in Canada

    Ferio Tego Available in Canada

    Ferio Tego announced that its products will now be available in Canada, partnering with Kretek International Canada for distribution.    

    “We have enjoyed working closely with the outstanding team at Kretek Canada,” said Brendon Scott, co-owner of Ferio Tego. “Canada has a robust premium cigar market with tremendous retailers and passionate consumers, and we’re excited to offer our brands in this market.”

    The initial launch will feature its Elegancia, Summa, Timeless Sterling, and Timeless Prestige lines, all manufactured in the Dominican Republic. Additional company offerings from Nicaragua and Honduras will be available later in 2025.

    “The complexity, style, and origins of our blends make them quite distinctive,” said Michael Herklots, co-owner of Ferio Tego. “Our neighbors in the north have sought out our blends over the years, so we’re pleased to finally deliver them to their local tobacconists with the help of Kretek Canada.”   

    This is the third international expansion for the company over the last two years following successful releases in Asia and the United Arab Emirates.

  • JTI Ranks No. 2 Among Philippines Top Employers

    JTI Ranks No. 2 Among Philippines Top Employers

    The Top Employers Institute, the global authority in recognizing outstanding people practices, ranked JTI Philippines second on its “Top Employers in the Philippines” list. It is the fourth straight year JTI was ranked on the list, with this being its highest-ever ranking.

    “To be awarded No. 2 Top Employer in the Philippines stands as a testament to how JTI puts its people at the heart of everything we do,” said Ari Wisnubroto, people and culture director at JTI Philippines. “Aside from continuing to improve our work environment and caring for their wellbeing, we pride ourselves on our focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

     “In March, we will be celebrating our 25th year in the Philippines and we do this as the fastest-growing tobacco company in the country. We owe these two milestones to our hardworking employees who live out the culture and values of JTI. The Top Employer recognition is a celebration of our people and a pledge to continue cultivating a work environment that champions employees’ wellbeing, growth, and inclusion for many more years to come.”

    Included among JTI’s progressive programs are 20 fully-paid weeks of family leave for parents welcoming a child regardless of their gender or way they become parents; the Drive Ahead initiative offers free driving lessons to women without driving experience who want to pursue a field-based career in JTI; and the Bright Start program sponsors individuals from disadvantaged communities with the opportunity to earn a college degree while earning a salary and developing careers at JTI.

    JTI is also one of only 17 companies to be recognized this year as Global Top Employer. It is their 11th consecutive year to be certified by the Top Employers Institute for commendable people policies and practices worldwide.

  • PMI to Present at CAGNY

    PMI to Present at CAGNY

    Philip Morris International announced its participation in the 2025 Consumer Analyst Group of New York (CAGNY) conference, where CEO Jacek Olczak and CFO Emmanuel Babeau will present on February 19, 2025, at 1 p.m. EST. The presentation will be accessible via live audio webcast at www.pmi.com/2025CAGNY or through the company’s investor relations app at www.pmi.com/irapp.

    The company executives are expected to talk about PMI’s transformation toward a smoke-free future, having invested more than $14 billion since 2008 in developing and commercializing smoke-free products. Following its acquisition of Swedish Match, 39% of PMI’s annual net revenue now comes from the smoke-free segment with brands like IQOS and ZYN.

    For more than 50 years, CAGNY has been connecting investors, management teams, and the media dedicated to the consumer industry. It asserts to be “the largest not-for-profit of its kind” and hosts various events throughout the year, highlighted by the CAGNY conference in Boca Raton, Florida.

    The webcast replay will be available at the same link until March 21, 2025.

  • JT Again Recognized for Corporate Sustainability

    JT Again Recognized for Corporate Sustainability

    For the sixth year in a row, Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) has been recognized for its leadership in corporate sustainability by the global environmental non-profit organization CDP. With nearly 25,000 companies participating in the 2024 environmental disclosure program, JT was one of the select few to make the “A list,” based on the way it approached climate change.

    As part of its materiality and sustainability core, JT says it believes that as nature, society, and people’s lives are intertwined, sustaining our ways of living and the activities of corporate entities will depend on the sustainability of the environment and societies in which we live. “On this basis, we have looked at our past environmental initiatives. We did so from the perspective of the ecosystem, considering the aspect of biodiversity as well as the impact that our business may have on the ecosystem.”

    “We are honored that the JT Group has been recognized on CDP’s A List for the sixth consecutive year,” said Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Hisato Imokawa. “This inclusion reflects our ongoing efforts to preserve ecosystems and enhance our transparency in sharing information. To fulfill the JT Group purpose of “Fulfilling Moments, Enriching Life,” we will continue to pursue our vision of sustainability and maintain the trust of our stakeholders by enhancing our efforts that are distinctive of the JT Group in collaboration with our suppliers.”

    CDP is a global non-profit that “runs the world’s only independent environmental disclosure system for companies, capital markets, cities, states, and regions to manage their environmental impacts.”

  • Kutsaga Celebrates 75 Years, Looks to Expand in Zimbabwe

    Kutsaga Celebrates 75 Years, Looks to Expand in Zimbabwe

    As Kutsaga Research celebrated its 75th anniversary by hosting a tobacco seed and variety field day in Zimbabwe, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary  Obert Jiri said the organization needs to continue its good work and spread to the southern part of the nation (regions four and five).

    “The tobacco value chain is currently positively impacting the lives of over 120,000 smallholder farmers; however, these are predominantly in the northern and middle parts of the country,” Jiri said. “Kutsaga should learn from the challenges and success of the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan that ends this year to spearhead the development of climate-smart drought adaptive varieties, research into eco-friendly tobacco curing fuels such as liquid petroleum gas, biogas, and solar energy.”

    The country is recovering from the devastating effect of last year’s El Nino-induced drought that cut production, but this year hopes to match 2023’s record-high 296 million kilograms produced.

    Kutsaga board chair Aaron Denenga said the company was committed to transforming into a self-sustaining agricultural research hub over the next 25 years, leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, 3D printing, genetic engineering, and quantum computing.

  • Troutman Pepper Locke Officially Launches

    Troutman Pepper Locke Officially Launches

    Troutman Pepper and Locke Lord have merged to form Troutman Pepper Locke LLP, a law firm with more than 1,600 attorneys across 33 offices in the United States and Europe.

    “This merger is a strategic leap forward, allowing us to offer an even broader and deeper suite of services to help clients solve complex legal challenges,” said Tom Cole, chair of Troutman Pepper Locke. “The increased scale strengthens our ability to handle matters across an expanded geographic footprint and underscores our continued commitment to client service, efficiency, and innovation.”

    The new firm is led by Cole, with David Taylor and Ashley Taylor serving as vice chairs. Amie Colby serves as managing partner.

    “We are thrilled about the opportunities this match brings,” David Taylor said. “Our firms have the same sweet spot — the middle market. And together, we are doubling down on our commitment to high performance, collaboration, and excellence.”

    “Law firm mergers are certainly on the rise, but ours is about strategic growth to create more value for our clients,” said Ashley Taylor. “This value will flow from our combined strength in key industries, regions, and practices.”

    The combined firm boasts offices in 18 U.S. states, as well as the U.K. Troutman Pepper Locke offers more than 600 lawyers in the Northeast, with a significant presence in Boston, Philadelphia, and the New York metro area. In the South, the firm’s bench is particularly deep, with nearly 700 lawyers in locations including Texas, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia. The combination has strengthened resources in California and the Midwest, including Chicago.

  • Relx WeCreate Gets Approval in Philippines

    Relx WeCreate Gets Approval in Philippines

    Relx announced that its new WeCreate closed pod system gained approval to carry the Philippine Product Standard Mark. RELX says the WeCreate is a breakthrough in customizable vaping technology, blending precision design with advanced features. It has an 800mAh battery that can provide between seven and 15 days of usage on a single charge, a USB Type-C charging port, an adjustable airflow system, and a smart display that “provides real-time information on battery status and other essential details, ensuring users remain informed and in control.”

    The RELX WeCreate offers 14 distinctive pod flavors, each designed to complement the device’s advanced technology.