Koch & Gesell: Swiss Cannabis and Tobacco Brand Goes Bankrupt

Business by 2FIRSTS.ai
Jan.10.2024
Koch & Gesell: Swiss Cannabis and Tobacco Brand Goes Bankrupt
Swiss marijuana cigarette company Koch & Gesell has filed for bankruptcy, leading to the closure of CBD and tobacco brand Heimat. The company plans to potentially restart its marijuana business.

According to a report by the Swiss media outlet Kleine Zeitung, Koch & Gesell, a cannabis cigarette company based in St. Gallen, has filed for bankruptcy, signifying the closure of the Swiss CBD and tobacco brand, Heimat. The company has suggested the possibility of relaunching its cannabis business. Additionally, the subsidiary in Austria has not been affected by the bankruptcy.

 

The primary reasons for the bankruptcy are the company's cash flow troubles and the loss of its tobacco license. Roger Koch, the founder and CEO of the company, explained to reporters that this was due to a decline in revenue, poor cash flow status, and the inability to find new sources of funding.

 

The company has a subsidiary in Austria and has launched a tobacco brand called "Tschick". However, according to the company's business director Reinhard Leitner, this subsidiary has not been affected by the bankruptcy of the Swiss company.

 

In regards to the company's next steps for development, Roger Koch suggested that one potential option may be to entirely shift the focus of their operations towards the more lucrative cannabis industry. This could involve prioritizing products such as cannabis-infused iced tea. Koch emphasized, "We possess a wealth of expertise, experience, formulations, and a global registered patent.

 

This tobacco company was established in 2015 and primarily focuses on producing locally sourced tobacco in Switzerland. In 2017, they successfully developed the world's first legal marijuana-infused tobacco cigarettes, gaining significant popularity in the market. In 2019, the company also launched industrially produced pure CBD marijuana cigarettes, for which they have already submitted a patent application for the production technology.

 

However, in 2019, due to investments in research and development, equipment purchases, and market expansion, the company faced financial difficulties and applied for bankruptcy protection. Although it managed to avoid bankruptcy in 2020, it is now unable to withstand the pressure and has ultimately filed for bankruptcy.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

AIR Shares Drop 18.6% in Nasdaq Debut, Testing Hookah’s Move Toward Public Markets
AIR Shares Drop 18.6% in Nasdaq Debut, Testing Hookah’s Move Toward Public Markets
AIR Global’s Nasdaq debut under ticker AIIR ended with a 18.6% first-day decline, giving the global hookah industry a rare public-market reference point. Beyond one company’s share move, the listing raises a broader question: can a culturally rooted, fragmented and venue-based category evolve into a more scalable and investable consumer sector?
Special Report
May.19
Argentina Issues Resolution 549/2026 to Regulate Vapes, Heated Tobacco and Nicotine Pouches
Argentina Issues Resolution 549/2026 to Regulate Vapes, Heated Tobacco and Nicotine Pouches
Argentina’s government has created a comprehensive regulatory framework for nicotine products, including vapes, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches, through Resolution 549/2026 published in the Official Gazette. The new regulation ends the previous prohibitive framework and establishes rules to organize the market by requiring traceability, quality standards and mandatory registration for all manufacturers and retailers operating in the country.
May.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Ukrainian Media: Polish Vape Distributor Evapify Allegedly Linked to Russian Businessman Named in U.S. “Russia Oligarch Report”
Ukrainian Media: Polish Vape Distributor Evapify Allegedly Linked to Russian Businessman Named in U.S. “Russia Oligarch Report”
According to an investigative report by Euromaidan Press, a Ukrainian English-language independent media outlet, Russian businessman Oleg Boyko has been sanctioned by Ukraine, Poland, Australia and Canada, but has not been added to the European Union’s sanctions list. The report alleges that Evapify, a Polish vape distributor with financial and personal ties to Boyko, holds a significant position in Poland’s disposable vape market.
News
Jun.01
Nearly 35.00% of Surveyed Retailers Shifted to Online Sales After Tighter Controls in Vietnam
Nearly 35.00% of Surveyed Retailers Shifted to Online Sales After Tighter Controls in Vietnam
A study of nearly 2,500 university students in Hanoi, Da Nang, Hue, and Ho Chi Minh City found that the average age of first use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products was 16.90. The findings were presented on April 9 in Hanoi. The study also found that 14.00% of students had tried e-cigarettes and 3.00% were current users, while the figures for heated tobacco were 6.00% and 0.80%. % of surveyed retail outlets moving to online sales.
Apr.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai
2Firsts Hosts UK Vape Duty Stamp Compliance Exchange in Shenzhen
2Firsts Hosts UK Vape Duty Stamp Compliance Exchange in Shenzhen
2Firsts held a UK vape duty stamp compliance exchange in Shenzhen on May 14, bringing together representatives from nearly 20 companies. The session addressed Vaping Products Duty, duty stamp applications, UK agency qualifications and warehousing, while introducing 2Firsts Compliance Solutions’ UK service.
Events
May.17
 China’s E-Cigarette Exports Reached About USD 903 Million in March 2026, Up 4.4% Year on Year
China’s E-Cigarette Exports Reached About USD 903 Million in March 2026, Up 4.4% Year on Year
According to the latest country-level data released by China’s General Administration of Customs, China’s e-cigarette-related exports totaled about USD 903 million in March 2026, up about 4.4% from roughly USD 865 million a year earlier. The United States, the United Kingdom and Germany remained the top three destinations, while the top 10 markets together accounted for about 72.2% of total exports.
Apr.21 by 2FIRSTS.ai