The first cigarettes are already flitting through the systems of Van Landewyck's new production site, a building that groups together the activities that once took place in historic buildings located in Hollerich and Ettelbrück.
Once production is fully centralised and production is in full swing - predicted for 2022 - the company will be able to produce seven billion cigarettes a year. A venture that is becoming increasingly complicated as laws become progressively more restrictive; nevertheless, Charles Lemmer, Country Manager at Heintz Van Landewyck, maintains pride in the family business that traces back to 1847.
The tobacco industry still rakes in more than 700 million euros in excise duties and VAT in Luxembourg alone, and even if European consumption is down by about 1 – 2% every year, Lemmer looks confidently towards the future.
An investment of €85 million was necessary to set up the new production site, not a small feat for a Luxembourgish company when compared to its multinational brethren. While some machines have already been transferred to Fridhaff, others are still being tested before the actual manufacturing process can begin in a few months. A largely automatic production line and with a number of systems built to ensure optimal humidity and temperature, the company has made a considerable investment that relies on future success.
Part of the huge building will be used for a fully automated storage system that holds some 12,000 pallets. In case of a fire, a sprinkler system with 900 000l of water has been procured.
