New President Appointed to Lead PMFTC in the Philippines

News by { "type": "", "title": "", "logo": "", "description": "", "auth": "", "seo_url": "" }
Apr.24.2024
New President Appointed to Lead PMFTC in the Philippines
Gijs Lambert Johan de Best to Replace Denis Gorkun as President of Philippines' PMFTC, marking end of Gorkun's 5-year tenure.

According to The Philippine Star, on April 20, Gijs Lambert Johan de Best will be taking over as the president of Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation (PMFTC), replacing Denis Gorkun who has been serving as the company's president since September 2019. Gorkun is set to resign at the end of April, marking the end of his five-year term at PMFTC and nearly 30-year career at PMI.

 

Debest currently serves as the Vice President of Strategy and Project Delivery for South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the Middle East and Africa at Philip Morris International. In August 2004, he began his career at PMI as a financial analyst in the Netherlands office before holding management positions in Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, and Germany, ultimately serving as Director of Business Development in Hong Kong.

 

PMFTC is a joint venture between PMI and LT Group's Fortune Tobacco Corp., which owns 49.6% of PMFTC. In 2023, the company holds a 55.2% market share in the tobacco industry in the Philippines. PMFTC stated that it was during Gorcun's tenure that the company's smoke-free products were commercialized in the country.

 

The tobacco division of LTG saw a 26% decrease in net profit last year, dropping from 15.34 billion pesos to 11.38 billion pesos. LT Group attributed this decline to industry-wide price increases in the first quarter of last year, which suppressed sales. LT Group stated that the rise in illegal cigarette trade and changes in trade inventory also contributed to the decrease in revenue.

 

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

Product | AutoFresh Lock + Transparent Tank: SKE’s MEMERS VAPE Launches New Device
Product | AutoFresh Lock + Transparent Tank: SKE’s MEMERS VAPE Launches New Device
SKE-owned MEMERS has listed the disposable FRESA 40K on its website, featuring a transparent e-liquid chamber and a battery level display, with a claimed up to 40,000 puffs. The device uses Fresh Lock+ auto oil-lock to isolate e-liquid from the coil; brand materials cite two trigger timings—6 seconds after each puff or after 5 minutes of inactivity. It includes a 900mAh rechargeable battery, Type-C charging, and comes in 10 flavors.
Nov.05 by { "username": "", "position": "", "avatar": "", "auth": "", "seo_url": "" }
Product | “2+20” Configuration and Magnetic Semi-Enclosed Design: JNR Open-System E-cigarette Enters the UK Market
Product | “2+20” Configuration and Magnetic Semi-Enclosed Design: JNR Open-System E-cigarette Enters the UK Market
The e-cigarette brand JNR has recently launched its open-system product, JNR Whale, in the UK market, with the device now available through online retail channels such as Vape Sourcing and IDEA VAPE. The product features a 2+20 ml refillable configuration, combined with a dual mesh coil and a magnetic design, and is priced at approximately £11.99 across retail channels.
Dec.16 by { "username": "", "position": "", "avatar": "", "auth": "", "seo_url": "" }
Kazakhstan authorities bust illegal e-cigarette sales ring, seize over 53,000 products worth $760,000; targeting students, 4 suspects detained
Kazakhstan authorities bust illegal e-cigarette sales ring, seize over 53,000 products worth $760,000; targeting students, 4 suspects detained
Kazakhstan's Financial Monitoring Agency in Pavlodar completes probe on illegal e-cigarette sales, seizing over 53,000 products worth $760,000.
Dec.25 by { "username": "", "position": "", "avatar": "", "auth": "", "seo_url": "" }
Exclusive: Suspected ‘Backend Update Then Withdrawal’ Suggests Glas May Be Next FDA-Authorized E-Cigarette Brand After Juul
Exclusive: Suspected ‘Backend Update Then Withdrawal’ Suggests Glas May Be Next FDA-Authorized E-Cigarette Brand After Juul
An exclusive 2Firsts investigation found an unpublished FDA update on e-cigarette marketing authorizations that mirrors market speculation, suggesting Glas’s application may have cleared internal review, though no official confirmation has been issued.
Regulations
Dec.21 by { "username": "", "position": "", "avatar": "", "auth": "", "seo_url": "" }
Putin Supports Full Russia-Wide Vape Sales Ban
Putin Supports Full Russia-Wide Vape Sales Ban
Russian President Vladimir Putin gave his backing to a nationwide sales ban on vapes during a visit to Samara and stressed that “it’s not only such a decision that is important, but also the corresponding work among youth.”
Nov.07 by { "username": "", "position": "", "avatar": "", "auth": "", "seo_url": "" }
Ireland Considering Ban on Nicotine Pouches to Protect Youth, Says Chief Medical Officer
Ireland Considering Ban on Nicotine Pouches to Protect Youth, Says Chief Medical Officer
Ireland’s Department of Health is examining a ban on nicotine pouches to curb nicotine use among young people. Chief Medical Officer Prof. Mary Horgan said the ban could be included in amendments to the current tobacco bill.
Nov.10 by { "username": "", "position": "", "avatar": "", "auth": "", "seo_url": "" }