[Interview] Zuo Quan talks about the development of ALD Group: Taking compliance as the cornerstone, sticking to the innovative development strategy

MarketInnovation
Jun.23.2022
[Interview] Zuo Quan talks about the development of ALD Group: Taking compliance as the cornerstone, sticking to the innovative development strategy
2FIRSTS was able to interview Zuo Quan and he described the company's initial start: "Before the company was founded, it had already accumulated a lot of experience in the field of electronic cigarettes, and also some customer resources at home and abroad. The establishment of the company can be regarded as a natural process driven by the market."

On June 15, 2022, the "2022 6th E-Cigarette Industry Standard and Compliance Conference and the E-Cigarette Export Trade Development Conference" hosted by the ECCC was held in Shenzhen Baoan, JW Marriott Hotel. During the conference, 2FIRSTS was able to interview Zuo Quan and he described the company's initial start: "Before the company was founded, it had already accumulated a lot of experience in the field of electronic cigarettes, and also some customer resources at home and abroad. The establishment of the company can be regarded as a natural process driven by the market."

 

A foundation in experience and customer resources, market-driven, and natural path- these keywords may be difficult to think of as the reason for the establishment of a business. The director and co-founder of ALD Group proudly terms them "Versailles".

 

On June 15, 2022, the "2022 6th E-Cigarette Industry Standard and Compliance Conference and the E-Cigarette Export Trade Development Conference" hosted by the ECCC was held in Shenzhen Baoan, JW Marriott Hotel. During the conference, 2FIRSTS was able to interview Zuo Quan and he described the company's initial start: "Before the company was founded, it had already accumulated a lot of experience in the field of electronic cigarettes, and also some customer resources at home and abroad. The establishment of the company can be regarded as a natural process driven by the market."

 

Technology is the Primary Productive Forces

 

ALD Group is located in Bao'an District, Shenzhen. It is a vaporization technology company specializing in the manufacturing of electronic products. Since the establishment of the company in 2009, it has been more than 12 years since the company entered the trade. The company has always adhered to the development principle of "technology is the primary productive force". During the interview, we learned that in order to improve the production level and R&D capability of the company, ALD has established a close R&D cooperation relationship with domestic universities. They include the establishment of a research center with the School of Chemical Engineering of Sun Yat-Sen University

 

Zuo Quan said: "The company currently has a strong R&D and business development team. We also have deep accumulation in advanced intelligence and automation manufacturing capabilities. The R&D cooperation with various domestic universities is mainly in safety compliance, environmental protection materials, and user experience. These aspects are important to help the healthy development of the company. It also helps the strategic development direction of the entire company.”

 

Facing the Challenge Head on, Compliance is the Cornerstone

 

Although the development of ALD Group is "successful", it was not "smooth". As an emerging industry, in the process of internationalization facing some regions with unclear regulations, the product export still faces huge policy barriers.

 

With the vigorous development of the e-cigarette industry in recent years, many newcomers have been pouring in, bringing new vitality to the market, but also causing negative phenomenon such as infringement of intellectual property rights and price wars. "This is very harmful to enterprises as well as the entire industry. Due to the relatively short development time of the industry, the market also has large fluctuations." Zuo Quan said.

 

At this conference, Zuo Quan, emphasized in an exclusive interview with reporters that no matter how much the market fluctuates, ALD Group will face difficulties with a positive attitude. Talking about the core point of future development, he affirmed: "The company has always stuck to the focus of innovation in face of future development. Before that, compliance is of course the foundation of everything."

Product | IVG Launches NEXiO Prefilled Pod System, Expanding Beyond Disposable Vapes
Product | IVG Launches NEXiO Prefilled Pod System, Expanding Beyond Disposable Vapes
UK vape brand IVG has launched the NEXiO reusable prefilled pod system, expanding its product portfolio beyond disposable vape products. The device features a 1,000mAh rechargeable battery, prefilled pods with a refill reservoir structure and a claimed capacity of up to 10,000 puffs. Officially launched in the UK on July 9, 2026, NEXiO debuted with 17 flavor options, reflecting IVG’s move into reusable pod formats.
Aug.19
Product | VELO Launches Tomorrowland Limited Edition 2026 as Festival IP Enters Nicotine Pouch Packaging
Product | VELO Launches Tomorrowland Limited Edition 2026 as Festival IP Enters Nicotine Pouch Packaging
BAT’s nicotine pouch brand VELO has introduced the Tomorrowland Limited Edition 2026. Public retail-channel information shows the product has appeared across multiple European online platforms, while Haypp UK has listed related SKUs with a “Coming soon” status. The packaging carries the wording “Official Tomorrowland Partner,” indicating that the collection is part of VELO’s official collaboration with the electronic music festival brand.
Jul.02
Former FDA Scientist Questions ZYN Review Over Pouch Material and Microplastic Risk
Former FDA Scientist Questions ZYN Review Over Pouch Material and Microplastic Risk
A former FDA toxicologist has questioned whether the agency fully assessed the material used in ZYN nicotine pouches before authorizing them for sale, raising concerns over possible microplastic exposure, according to STAT and The Examination.
Jul.16
DOJ Trade Fraud Task Force Tops $1 Billion in Cases, Putting Vape Supply Chains at Risk of Fraud Enforcement
DOJ Trade Fraud Task Force Tops $1 Billion in Cases, Putting Vape Supply Chains at Risk of Fraud Enforcement
According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Fox News and other reports, the DOJ’s Trade Fraud Task Force (TFTF) has been linked to more than $1 billion in recoveries, penalties, forfeitures and publicly charged losses in less than one year. The task force focuses on trade fraud issues including country-of-origin fraud, illegal transshipment, false declarations and tariff evasion. While vape products are not the main source of the $1 billion figure, the industry’s reliance on global manufacturing and cross-border supply chains places it within broader U.S. trade enforcement scrutiny. The development suggests that U.S. oversight of cross-border vape products may increasingly extend beyond product authorization into import compliance, supply-chain transparency and corporate accountability.
Jul.23
PMI Partners With Italian Tenor Andrea Bocelli to Launch “Believe. Further” Platform
PMI Partners With Italian Tenor Andrea Bocelli to Launch “Believe. Further” Platform
Philip Morris International (PMI) and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli have launched “Believe. Further,” a multi-year communications platform targeting cultural, institutional and business audiences in Europe, as PMI says smoke-free products accounted for 43% of its net revenues as of the first quarter of 2026.
Jul.01
Vape Industry Group Loses Alabama Court Fight as State Tightens Rules on Imported Products
Vape Industry Group Loses Alabama Court Fight as State Tightens Rules on Imported Products
The Alabama Supreme Court affirmed a lower court’s refusal to issue a preliminary injunction blocking the state’s 2025 electronic nicotine delivery systems law, allowing rules requiring covered products to be U.S.-made or FDA-authorized to remain in effect.
Jul.10