[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."

Thailand’s Bangkok Port Customs Reports E-Cigarette and Nitrous Oxide Seizure Worth More Than THB 27 Million
Thailand’s Bangkok Port Customs Reports E-Cigarette and Nitrous Oxide Seizure Worth More Than THB 27 Million
Bangkok Port Customs on April 28 announced the seizure of 52,000 complete e-cigarettes, 100 gallons of e-liquid and 126,226 canisters of nitrous oxide, with total economic damage exceeding THB 27 million, or about USD 831,178 based on an April 28 USD/THB rate of 32.484. The e-cigarette and e-liquid shipment was valued at THB 5.56 million, or about USD 171,161, while the nitrous oxide shipment was valued at THB 21.27 million, or about USD 654,784.
Apr.29 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Trump’s Tobacco Investments and Industry Donations Draw Scrutiny as FDA Eases Vape and Nicotine Pouch Rules
Trump’s Tobacco Investments and Industry Donations Draw Scrutiny as FDA Eases Vape and Nicotine Pouch Rules
A report by KFF Health News says that as the Trump administration pursued a series of policies favorable to the nicotine and tobacco industry, President Donald Trump increased his holdings in tobacco companies while benefiting from substantial industry-linked political donations, prompting questions from public health advocates about potential conflicts of interest and regulatory direction.
Jun.12
BAT Estimates U.S. Unauthorized Vape Market at $9.4 Billion, Plans New Vuse and Velo Launches After FDA Enforcement Shift
BAT Estimates U.S. Unauthorized Vape Market at $9.4 Billion, Plans New Vuse and Velo Launches After FDA Enforcement Shift
British American Tobacco (BAT) CEO Tadeu Marroco said the U.S. unauthorized vape market is worth about £7 billion, or US$9.43 billion. Following a shift in FDA enforcement policy, BAT plans to launch flavored Vuse products in the third quarter and an updated Velo pouch in August or September.
Jun.15
FDA Tobacco Center Pushes Review-Efficiency Statement After Commissioner’s Exit
FDA Tobacco Center Pushes Review-Efficiency Statement After Commissioner’s Exit
FDA CTP issued a May 7 statement on accelerating product review and improving PMTA efficiency, but did not push it via official X and newsletter until May 13, one day after FDA Commissioner Marty Makary’s resignation was confirmed. FDA has not explained the delay, and no public evidence links it directly to the leadership change. The timing is notable given CTP’s usual 24-hour distribution practice.
Special Report
May.14
South Korea Moves Against Synthetic Nicotine Regulatory Gap as Three Companies Face Tobacco Business Act Probe
South Korea Moves Against Synthetic Nicotine Regulatory Gap as Three Companies Face Tobacco Business Act Probe
South Korea’s Ministry of Finance and Economy said on May 4 that it requested the Daejeon Metropolitan Police Agency and Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency to investigate three sales companies on suspicion of violating the Tobacco Business Act.
May.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Special Report | Russian Vape Compromise Faces First Hurdles
Special Report | Russian Vape Compromise Faces First Hurdles
Russia’s regional vape-ban model is facing early legal and political tests, as Perm Krai moves ahead before federal legislation is fully adopted. The case highlights uncertainty over regional authority, concerns from business groups about market fragmentation, and the risk that pressure against regional bans could revive calls for a stricter nationwide prohibition.
Industry Insight
May.28