[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."

2Firsts Interview | InterTabac 2026 Adapts to a More Complex Tobacco and Nicotine Market
2Firsts Interview | InterTabac 2026 Adapts to a More Complex Tobacco and Nicotine Market
As InterTabac 2026 approaches, Sabine Loos, Managing Director of Westfalenhallen Unternehmensgruppe, tells 2Firsts that global tobacco trade fairs are evolving beyond product display. With new nicotine categories, shifting regulation and more complex supply chains reshaping the industry, InterTabac is positioning itself as a platform for market insight, regulatory discussion and global business connection.
Special Report
Jul.02
Reuters: Big Tobacco Emerges as Winner After FDA Regulatory Shift
Reuters: Big Tobacco Emerges as Winner After FDA Regulatory Shift
According to Reuters, major tobacco companies may emerge as key beneficiaries after the U.S. FDA loosened regulations on vaping and nicotine pouch products, a shift that has sparked debate over public health risks.
Industry Insight
May.26
Nicotine Pouches Lead U.S. Tobacco Growth as Vape Sales Decline
Nicotine Pouches Lead U.S. Tobacco Growth as Vape Sales Decline
New convenience store industry data show nicotine pouches have become the primary growth driver in the tobacco category, with oral nicotine sales rising nearly 30% over the past year while vape sales declined.
Business
Jun.05
Nature Health Comment Urges Wider Role for Smoke-Free Nicotine Products in Tobacco Control
Nature Health Comment Urges Wider Role for Smoke-Free Nicotine Products in Tobacco Control
Ahead of World No Tobacco Day, a Nature Health Comment by Robert Beaglehole, Ruth Bonita and Tikki Pang argues that regulated smoke-free nicotine products could help accelerate the global decline in smoking. The authors propose a “smoke-free 2040” goal and call for risk-proportionate regulation distinguishing cigarettes from lower-risk nicotine alternatives.
News
May.20
Canada Recalls Siberia and ZYN Nicotine Pouches Over Unauthorized Sales
Canada Recalls Siberia and ZYN Nicotine Pouches Over Unauthorized Sales
Health Canada has issued a nationwide recall for nicotine pouch products sold under the Siberia and ZYN brands, citing a lack of market authorization. All affected lots are subject to the recall.
Jun.15
FDA 2025 NYTS: Youth E-Cigarette Use Declines but Unauthorized Disposables Remain Prominent; Nicotine Pouch Use Stays Low
FDA 2025 NYTS: Youth E-Cigarette Use Declines but Unauthorized Disposables Remain Prominent; Nicotine Pouch Use Stays Low
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released its 2025 National Youth Tobacco Survey analysis, saying about 2.01 million U.S. middle and high school students currently used any tobacco product; among current youth e-cigarette users, unauthorized disposable brands including Geek Bar, Elf Bar, Lost Mary and Raz had high reported shares, potentially making them a focus for future enforcement.
Jun.24