24 March 2014

Pouches: survival of the fittest

Palmas Printing was established in 1974 in Puerto Rico to service the tobacco market with labels produced in close proximity. Now located in Melbourne, Florida, over the last few years Palmas Printing has made a major shift in its production capabilities, including the opening of a new manufacturing plant in Santiago, Dominican Republic.

The first cigars sold in a sealed pouch were seen on-shelf in 2007. At the time, most cigar products were sold in cellophane or poly wrappers with wraparound paper bands.

Pouched cigars and cigarillos offer consumers an enhanced experience, keeping their choice products fresher for longer. This performance benefit has rapidly driven change in the retail landscape of convenience stores and other tobacco outlets.

Says Jim Love, vice president at Palmas Printing, ‘Freshness is extremely important to consumers. Pouches are completely sealed and offer product longevity. The consumers’ response to pouches has been positive, and the shift in tobacco packaging was extremely fast.’