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

MarketInnovation by 2FIRSTS
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."

Usonic Dual Launched: China Tobacco Hunan IC and Firstunion Debut Full-Area Thermal Field Technology
Usonic Dual Launched: China Tobacco Hunan IC and Firstunion Debut Full-Area Thermal Field Technology
China Tobacco Hunan IC and Firstunion Group unveiled the Usonic Dual at InterTabac 2025, showcasing a groundbreaking full-area thermal field system and AI-powered interactive design that redefines the heated tobacco experience.
Sep.19
2Firsts On-Site at InterTabac: Industry Suppliers Confident About Outlook Despite Stagnant Cigarette Volumes
2Firsts On-Site at InterTabac: Industry Suppliers Confident About Outlook Despite Stagnant Cigarette Volumes
At InterTabac 2025, 2Firsts spoke with traditional tobacco suppliers. Despite stagnant cigarette sales in many regions, they remained optimistic, believing that adapting to market shifts could help them grow in a shrinking sector. Many companies are now moving into emerging categories like nicotine pouches, roll-your-own, and heat-not-burn products, using innovation and infrastructure upgrades to meet changing consumer and regulatory demands.
Sep.22
FDA’s Makary on CNN: The Triple Challenge in Vape Regulation — New Opioids, Illicit Trade, and Youth Protection
FDA’s Makary on CNN: The Triple Challenge in Vape Regulation — New Opioids, Illicit Trade, and Youth Protection
In an interview with CNN’s Chasing Life, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary warned that new health risks — from emerging opioids such as 7-OH to unregulated vaping products — are slipping through regulatory cracks. His remarks reveal the FDA’s growing challenge to balance harm reduction for adult smokers with youth protection and cross-border enforcement.
Oct.10
UK Vaping Product Approvals Soar to 1,552, a 32x Increase | Pod Products Drive Growth
UK Vaping Product Approvals Soar to 1,552, a 32x Increase | Pod Products Drive Growth
The UK's MHRA database saw a 32-fold increase in e-cigarette registrations from Sep 8-14, with 1,552 new approvals. Pod products from brands like ELFBAR and SMOK made up over 90% of the new entries.
Sep.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai
 Australia NSW Police Crack Down on Illicit Tobacco Syndicate Under Strike Force Franklin
Australia NSW Police Crack Down on Illicit Tobacco Syndicate Under Strike Force Franklin
NSW Police, together with NSW Health and the Australian Border Force, seized more than 18,000 vapes, 1.9 million cigarettes, 74kg of loose-leaf tobacco and five unregistered firearms during a week of action under Strike Force Franklin. Four people were charged following coordinated raids on the Far North Coast. Police said the operation targeted organised crime networks profiting from illicit tobacco sales, with an estimated street value exceeding $2.35 million(1.54 million US dollars)..
Nov.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai
EU Cardiovascular Health Plan Consultation Highlights Tobacco Debate — 2Firsts Analysis Reveals Divide Between “Cessation” and “Harm Reduction” Approaches
EU Cardiovascular Health Plan Consultation Highlights Tobacco Debate — 2Firsts Analysis Reveals Divide Between “Cessation” and “Harm Reduction” Approaches
As the EU finalizes its Cardiovascular Health Plan, public feedback reveals a sharp divide over nicotine policy.A 2Firsts analysis of 677 submissions found that nearly one in four mentioned tobacco — highlighting tension between strict control and harm reduction approaches.
Oct.07