[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."

Hawaii Restricts Vape Sales to FDA-Authorized Products, Disposable E-Cigarettes to Be Banned
Hawaii Restricts Vape Sales to FDA-Authorized Products, Disposable E-Cigarettes to Be Banned
Hawaii has enacted two new e-cigarette laws that significantly tighten market access requirements, requiring products to meet FDA authorization standards and banning disposable e-cigarette sales starting in 2027.
Jul.08
Product | YOOZ Launches Waker Electronic Shisha Device, Expanding Vape Applications Beyond Portable Devices
Product | YOOZ Launches Waker Electronic Shisha Device, Expanding Vape Applications Beyond Portable Devices
YOOZ has introduced the Waker Electronic Shisha device, expanding its vaping portfolio into the electronic shisha category. The device combines a rechargeable hardware platform with dedicated cartridges, featuring a 4,000mAh battery, up to 60W output power, and LED lighting effects. The product has appeared across multiple French retail channels, reflecting the continued expansion of vaping products into new consumption scenarios.
Jul.13
Seita’s Julia Neumaier Says France Should Target Vape Access, Not Plain Packaging
Seita’s Julia Neumaier Says France Should Target Vape Access, Not Plain Packaging
Julia Neumaier, general manager of Seita, Imperial Brands’ French subsidiary, said France should focus vaping regulation on access control, age verification, online sales and distribution channels, rather than applying tobacco-style plain packaging to vaping products.
Jul.15
  South Korea Reopens Cigarette Tax Debate as 63% Back Higher Tobacco Taxes
South Korea Reopens Cigarette Tax Debate as 63% Back Higher Tobacco Taxes
South Korea’s cigarette tax debate has resurfaced after the Ministry of Health and Welfare said tobacco price policy needed review, with a poll showing 63% of respondents support higher tobacco taxes.
Regulations
Jun.22
Charlie’s Plans Q3 2026 Pilot of America’s First Age-Gated Flavored Disposable Vape
Charlie’s Plans Q3 2026 Pilot of America’s First Age-Gated Flavored Disposable Vape
U.S. vape company Charlie’s Holdings announced plans to pilot its age-gated flavored disposable vape products in hundreds of retail stores during the third quarter of 2026. The company said the products will utilize AI- and blockchain-powered age-verification technology designed to address FDA concerns over youth access and potentially create a new compliance pathway for flavored vape products.
Jun.15
Special Report | China’s Tobacco Tax Debate Shifts Toward Tax Design as Policy Trade-offs Come Into Focus
Special Report | China’s Tobacco Tax Debate Shifts Toward Tax Design as Policy Trade-offs Come Into Focus
China’s tobacco tax debate is moving from whether to raise prices to how the tax system should be designed. At a Beijing forum on World No Tobacco Day, experts discussed higher specific excise taxes, minimum tax burdens and dynamic adjustments linked to income and inflation. The issue also connects to China’s broader consumption tax reform, health financing and chronic disease costs. Public reports did not mention e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, nicotine pouches or other new nicotine products.
Jun.11