Swedish Match is a leader in premium hand-rolled cigars in the US. The Group also produces and markets machine-made cigars for both the US and Europe.
During 2009, the Group stepped up its efforts toward being the best in class in cigars, exploring ways to improve product quality while managing costs. An example of this effort has been the successful expansion of the FoilFresh® concept in the US.
Operational highlights 2009:
- Sales increased by 7 percent in local currencies
- Volume growth for US mass market cigars
- Improved profitability from price, mix, and cost efficiencies
- Premium cigars operating profit improvement
Main brands:
US premium: Macanudo, Partagas, Punch, Hoyo de Monterey, La Gloria Cubana, Cohiba, Helix, Don Tomàs
US machine-made: White Owl, Garcia y Vega, Game by Garcia y Vega
European machine-made: La Paz, Willem II, Salsa, Hollandia, Bellman, Oud Kampen, Justus van Maurik, Hajenius, Hofnar
Main markets:
the US, Benelux, France, Spain, Germany, Australia
Production units:
the US, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Belgium, Indonesia
Outlook
As best in class, Swedish Match will become a more focused and valued supplier, delivering outstanding product, service, and quality for the money, with brands that stand the test of time.
The Group’s cigar brands, product types, and geographies may be different, but there are many similarities in sourcing, systems, and production, which provide Swedish Match with opportunities to improve, helping us to achieve the best in class position.