ArticleMay 11, 2007
Experienced Americans on the Board
In addition to electing a new
Chairman of the Board, the
Annual General Meeting also
elected Charles A. Blixt and
John P. Bridendall as new Board
members. They are two highly
experienced Americans who
are now assuming a position on
the Swedish Match Board of
Directors.
"Having members with different cultural
backgrounds and knowledge about other
markets than Scandinavia is valuable. I have
been promoting international expansion, so I
am pleased that Charles A. Blixt and John P.
Bridendall were elected to the Board," says Conny
Karlsson, himself newly elected Chairman of the
Board of Swedish Match.
Charles A. Blixt and John P. Bridendall both
have years of international experience, but with
slightly different specialities. Charles A. Blixt
has more than 20 years of experience from
the tobacco industry within R.J. Reynolds, the
next largest tobacco company in the US. John
P. Bridendall has extensive experience with fastmoving consumer goods with strong brands, including the wine and liquor industry and such brands as Jack Daniel’s and Southern Comfort.
The new members have very good knowledge about the American market and agree that there is great potential for Swedish Match’s products.
"Swedish Match is a well-managed company with strong brands, I am really looking forward to participating in the work of the Board," says John. P. Bridendall.
"I am convinced that we can contribute
to increasing knowledge about the American
market," says Charles A. Blixt. " Swedish Match
has strong possibilities to grow in the US and on
other markets outside Scandinavia."