As the new President and ceo of Swedish
Match ab , I am happy to introduce you to
this issue of Inside Magazine which provides
you with a perspective on the business and financial
performance of Swedish Match.
As we recently posted our interim report for the
second quarter and the first six months of 2008 , let
me just highlight some conclusions from that report.
We note another successful quarter for our snus and
snuff business in Scandinavia and the us , confirming
the strong trend in this
product area. Both sales and
operating profit increased in
the Scandinavian business while
we continued to grow volumes
and gain market share in the us
snuff operation. The national
roll-out of the snuff brand Red
Man in the us , continued with
significant volume contribution.
Following a weak first
quarter of the year, sales for
the cigar business has started
to return to more normal
levels and the acquisitions of
Bogaert in Europe and Cigars
International in the us , has
contributed positively to both
sales and operating profit during the quarter. The other product areas continue to deliver good results to the company.
All in all, I conclude that we have solid business operations in the company and I look forward to continue the development of Swedish Match in my new role as the President and cfo . Please also find an interview in which I and Joakim Tilly, the new cfo , give our perspective on Swedish Match today.
Further in this issue, we continue the review of our business operations on markets where we are
active today. Read more about our international markets in the Focus section, introduced by Jarl Uggla, President of the International Division.
We are also proud of the Solstickan award in Sweden, this year presented to Henry Ascher for his work on protecting human rights. Finally, meet Conny Andersson, the Swedish cigar expert and connoisseur on the art of fine cigars. Good reading!
Lars Dahlgren
President and CEO Swedish Match AB
NO. 3, 2008
Swedish Match Inside is a magazine for Swedish Match shareholders, employees and other interested parties. A total of 50,000 copies are published in Swedish and 6,000 in English.
PUBLISHER
Swedish Match AB
RESPONSIBLE UNDER LAW
Henrik Brehmer, Swedish Match AB
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Annette Kaunitz, Swedish Match AB
PRODUCTION
Karoline Hammar, Swedish Match AB
ART DIRECTOR
Tom Sörhuus, Citat Journalistgruppen AB
COVER PHOTO
Magnus Fond
REPRODUCTION
Bildrepro
PRINTING
Intellecta Tryckindustri
Swedish Match AB S-118 85 Stockholm Tel: +46 8 658 02 00 www.swedishmatch.com inside@swedishmatch.com
Swedish Match is a global Group with a broad offering of market-leading brands in smokefree tobacco products, cigars, pipe tobacco and lights products. The Swedish Match share is listed on the OMX Nordic Exchange in Stockholm.
AUGUST 2008 CONTENT
05 |IN NEW POSITIONS
On June 1, Lars Dahlgren took office as Swedish Match’s new CEO and President, and Joakim Tilly as the Chief Financial Officer. Read their views on their new roles and how they see Swedish Match today.
10 |STRONG BRANDS IN DIVERSIFIED MARKETS
The cigar market is dynamic and sub-segments are continously growing. Jarl Uggla, President Swedish Match International Division, talks about a diversified market in which new consumer habits stimulate us to develop the business.
12 |EXPERTS CLOSE AT HAND FOR CUSTOMERS
Product quality is dependent on the efforts of competent employees in various parts of the world. Inside met a few of the product representatives worldwide to share their views on daily work.
15 |CRICKET GEARS UP IN MANILA
In early May, the new lighter factory just outside Manila was opened. Prominent government officials from Sweden and the Philippines jointly cut the ribbon together with Jarl Uggla, President Swedish Match International Division.
18 |WINNER OF THE 2008 SOLSTICKAN AWARD
Pediatrician Henry Ascher received this year’s Solstickan Award for his commitment to the rights of exposed children in society. The award was ceremoniously presented by Princess Christina Mrs. Magnuson, Honorary Chairman of the Solstickan Foundation.
22 |MEET CONNY ANDERSSON
Meet Swedish Match’s Scandinavian tobacco expert with a passionate interest in cigars and his own tobacco plantation on the island Ekerö outside Stockholm.
