Épisodes

  • TobaccoAsia/ InterTabac Podcast #41

    TobaccoAsia/ InterTabac Podcast #41
    Feb 7 2025
    Thomas Schmid interviews Sonny Suciawan, the creator of the Mata Hari cigar brand. The conversation begins with a brief history of Mata Hari, a Dutch exotic dancer and alleged spy during World War I, who was executed by the Germans. Sonny explains the brand's ties to Indonesia and discusses the intricacies of its cigar blends, including the types of tobacco used and the taste profiles of the various product lines: Mata Hari Courtesane, Mata Hari Limited Edition 2024, and Mata Hari Java Exotica. The dialogue also covers the production process in Indonesia and the brand's aspirations to introduce Indonesian cigars to international markets, including Germany and the United States.
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    17 min
  • TobaccoAsia/ InterTabac Podcast #40

    TobaccoAsia/ InterTabac Podcast #40
    Jan 10 2025
    Hosted by Thomas Schmid, this episode focuses on the history and current market strategies of Gawith-Hoggarth Limited, the UK's sole remaining tobacco manufacturer. The company’s director, Rachel Gawith, discusses the company's unique position in the global market, particularly its surprising market presence in several Southeast Asian countries. Rachel also touches upon the company's cautious approach to opening new markets due to production limitations, regulatory challenges, and ensuring sustained product quality. The conversation concludes with a discussion about the importance and benefits of Gawith-Hoggarth exhibiting at InterTabac, a key trade show where the company can meet up with distributors and suppliers from around the globe.
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    24 min
  • TobaccoAsia/ InterTabac Podcast #39

    TobaccoAsia/ InterTabac Podcast #39
    Dec 9 2024
    Thomas Schmid interviews Andreas Schweiger, sales manager at Micro Laser Technology (MLT), about microlaser perforation technology in the tobacco sector. Andreas explains how MLT stands out in the field with its high-performance systems and details the origin of the company, its competition, and technological advancements that make its product unmatched. Schweiger reveals that MLT is the leader in the field due to its innovative polygonal technology, which allows for high-speed perforation producing millions of tiny holes per second, far outpacing competitors. Schweiger also delves into the practical applications of microlaser perforation in producing light cigarettes and other tobacco products, emphasizing the importance of precision and speed. The interview transitions to discussing MLT's adaptation to market trends, such as online perforation, and exploring new applications beyond the tobacco industry, like food packaging for extending shelf life and security perforation for banknotes and passports. The interview concludes with Andreas Schweiger affirming MLT's commitment to staying at the forefront of technology and serving its niche markets effectively.
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    23 min
  • TobaccoAsia/ InterTabac Podcast #38

    TobaccoAsia/ InterTabac Podcast #38
    Nov 11 2024
    The episode features an engaging interview between Thomas Schmid and Emily Sahakian, co-founder of the premium cigar brand, Chateau Diadem. The remarkable growth of Chateau Diadem is underpinned by its success at various trade exhibitions and the dedication of its two founders, Emily and her cousin, Thierry Farah. Emily shares the backstory of the brand, revealing her and her cousin’s lifelong passion for cigars, their playful childhood experiences, and the eventual realization of their dream to create their own brand. She elaborates on initial obstacles and how the brand evolved from a white-label production to being manufactured in its own custom factory. The conversation highlights Chateau Diadem’s various cigar formats, the significance of quality control, and the brand’s expansion into the U.S. market. Emily offers encouraging advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in the cigar industry and emphasizes the importance of being open to feedback and continually striving for excellence.
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    30 min
  • TobaccoAsia/ InterTabac Podcast #37

    TobaccoAsia/ InterTabac Podcast #37
    Oct 16 2024
    He discusses the challenges he faced, such as gaining clients' trust and overcoming initial slow business years. He emphasizes the importance of repeat business over short-term profits, sharing that his company's success is reflected in returning customers. He highlights the strategic partnerships Prestige Leaf has with various international merchants and emphasizes the importance of aligning common objectives with them. The conversation also touches on the company’s Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, including a commitment to supporting sports, arts, education, and community programs. Zafer talks about fis future plans for Prestige Leaf, including expanding into more tobacco-growing countries and possibly diversifying into the food industry. The interview concludes with Zafer's advice to newcomers in the tobacco industry and his final thoughts on the importance of treating farmers as partners rather than mere suppliers.
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    18 min
  • TobaccoAsia/ InterTabac Podcast #36

    TobaccoAsia/ InterTabac Podcast #36
    Sep 9 2024
    The interview discusses Rebellion Cigars, a niche company founded in the UK by Mandi and Shaun Wilkinson in 2019, covering the company’s inception, Shaun Wilkinson’s passion for cigars, and the significant challenges faced entering the exclusive cigar market. Host Thomas Schmid also picks Wilkinson’s brains about the production process in a factory in Honduras and the development of Rebellion Cigars’ unique cigar blends. Wilkinson explains the distinctive pink branding and his strategy of naming cigars after favorite rock songs, as well as the launches of a special country music-themed range for the US market and upcoming limited editions. The episode wraps with mentions of Rebellion Cigars’ global reach and its presence on various online platforms for marketing.
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    18 min
  • TobaccoAsia/ InterTabac Podcast #35

    TobaccoAsia/ InterTabac Podcast #35
    Aug 12 2024
    Thomas Schmid interviews Waqas Khan, global CEO of Nevcore Innovations, about the misconceptions surrounding nicotine pouches. Khan discusses the unique features and high standards of Clew, a newly launched nicotine pouch brand that has already achieved significant recognition, including FDA approval and winning the MENA Awards. Khan explains the intricate R&D behind Clew's products, their market strategy, and their emphasis on consumer-focused design. He also highlights the importance of consumer education and the differences between synthetic and tobacco-derived nicotine products. The discussion concludes with plans for future expansions and participation in industry events.
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    24 min
  • TobaccoAsia/ InterTabac Podcast #34

    TobaccoAsia/ InterTabac Podcast #34
    Jul 12 2024
    Thomas Schmid interviews Guilherme Costa, Vice President of Sales at SWM International. The discussion revolves around the scope of SWM International’s paper products for the nicotine, tobacco, and cannabis industries. Guilherme touches upon the company's two market brands, SWM and Botani, exploring their roles and differences. He also delves into topics like sustainability, compliance with regulations, and the innovative materials used in SWM and Botani products, highlighting how SWM International leverages its global presence to navigate different markets and offer tailored solutions to its clients.
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    14 min