Swedish Match Opens Expanded Owensboro Research & Development Center

Multimillion-dollar expansion in Daviess County will increase product research and testing capabilities and drive local recruitment

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Swedish Match

Oct 18, 2016, 05:30 ET

OWENSBORO, Ky., Oct. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Swedish Match today celebrated the grand opening of the expanded Owensboro Research & Development Center.

The $3.5 million, 10,000 square foot expansion includes a two story manufacturing facility that houses:

Swedish Match executives along with State and Local officials joined to celebrate the grand opening of the expanded Owensboro Research & Development Center.

Newly designed laboratories
Dedicated sensory test zone
Controlled environment chamber storage
Microbiological testing area
Open office and meeting spaces

"Constant innovation is a top priority for Swedish Match and a primary driver toward our vision of a world without cigarettes," said Thord Hassler, vice president of Swedish Match research and development. "The expanded Research & Development Center supports our commitment to that vision by providing an environment for cross functional teams to collaborate on consumer and technology advancements."

Following the success of a similar facility in Sweden, the Owensboro center doubles Swedish Match's testing capability in the United States to better satisfy consumer and regulatory demands.

"Kentucky has been a wonderful home to us and we're pleased to continue growing our presence, workforce and investment in Daviess County," said Kristian Lindfors, director of operations at the Owensboro Production Facility. "The expansion will stimulate recruitment and enhance our plant's research and development capabilities."

Swedish Match's Owensboro plant manufactures premium chewing tobacco products and high quality, affordable moist snuff products.

"The new center will allow us to better differentiate our product lines and quickly respond to competitive products and new regulations," added Hassler. "These attributes will be critical as we continue to grow and solidify our position in the U.S. market."

For more information about Swedish Match, please visit www.swedishmatch.com.

About Swedish Match: Swedish Match develops, manufactures, and sells quality products with market-leading brands in the product areas Snus and moist snuff, Other tobacco products (cigars and chewing tobacco), and Lights (matches, lighters, and complementary products). Production is located in six countries, with sales concentrated in Scandinavia and the US. Swedish Match's vision is a world without cigarettes. Some of its well-known brands include: General, Longhorn, White Owl, Red Man, Fiat Lux, and Cricket.

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SOURCE Swedish Match