U.S. Flue-Cured Tobacco Growers Upbeat for Success of its Own Homegrown Cigarette

Source from:  Roxboro (NC) Courier Times - 6/20/07 06/26/2007

Emotions are running high at the U.S. Flue-Cured Tobacco Growers plant in Timberlake these days. Topping those feelings are pride and excitement among management and staff alike due to the much-anticipated launch of the company's new premium blend "1839" brand cigarette, touted as "a product from U.S. farmers." Developing and marketing the firm's own brand of cigarette has created a sense of satisfaction not only for management and the 90 plant employees at the Person County plant but also for farmers across a five-state region who grow the tobacco used in the product. And the latter is what sets the new brand apart as an all-American-grown and homemade product. It has take U.S. Flue-Cured Tobacco Growers about one year to develop the 1889 product for sale. And, emphasized Jimmy Barefoot, the company's senior vice president of manufacturing and sales, it is "a product made with pride by the farmers who grow the tobacco," including Person County farmers. "We are very excited and proud to present an excellent product at a reasonable price," said Barefoot. "We are doing this for the farmers, because that is who we represent." U.S. Flue-Cured Tobacco Growers Inc. is owned by a cooperative made up of U.S. flue-cured tobacco farmers. For the past year, blenders worked at combining aged U.S. flue-cured tobacco with U.S. burley tobacco grown in a five-state region to come up with a brand whose name reflects a noteworthy date in the history of tobacco. In 1839, in neighboring Caswell County a farmhand accidentally discovered a new way to cure tobacco that added rich flavor while eliminating the taste of charcoal, explained Barefoot. After the Civil War, U.S. growers standardized the use of flues in their barns to remove the charcoal taste and called the result flue-cured tobacco. Today, flue-cured tobacco farmers have banded together to bring a cigarette to the market that uses that flue-cured tradition. Consumer and smoking panels were established to receive feedback concerning the 1839 tobacco product, explained Barefoot. The research and development department has worked and continues to work with management and the sales team - consisting of Sales Manager Bob Faucette, assistant Sheila Wallace and sales representatives Todd Rodgers, Gary Sasser and Steve Ive - to ensure the consistency and integrity of the product, Barefoot said. The sales team has visited numerous trade shows to introduce and promote the 1839 tobacco product lines, which include the style of full flavor, filter and non-filter, light, ultra light, menthol full flavor and menthol light as well has roll-your-own products that were introduced in July 2006. "We currently have nine wholesalers that purchase 1839 Roll Your Own, extending from Hawaii to North Carolina, noted Barefoot."The roll-you- own market has grown, and 1839 is showing steady growth," he said. Since May 14, the 1839 cigarette has been marketed to positive feedback in Virginia, North Carolina and just recently, South Carolina, according to Barefoot. "We have had some great responses, and we are really pleased," said Barefoot. "We sent out samples and questionnaires to retailers and tobacco farmers and have had nothing but favorable responses," he added. "We have had good response from wholesalers and other factions of the business, as well." Barefoot also said, "We appreciate the support of local businesses who are carrying our product and look forward to establishing our product in other businesses located in Person County." The list of current stores currently carrying 1839 includes IGA on N. Main Street, Roxboro Trading Post on Virgilina Road, Handi Cupboard on U.S. 501 South and Food Mart on Depot Street. The brand also will soon be available at O'Ryan's Quick Mart, Clayton's Corner Store, S.P. Gentry Store, Mill Creek Convenience, Mayo Convenience, Hawkins Convenience and The Country Store, all in Person County. "We know this list will continue to grow," said Barefoot. "It has been a pleasure to have our manufacturing facility located in Person County. We have been in Timberlake since July 2004 and have seen our business grow within the community," said Barefoot. Speaking for U.S. Flue-Cured Tobacco Growers Inc., Barefoot continued, "We are proud to be here and look forward to working and growing with Person County. The success of 1839 will ultimately benefit our company and your community." The new product line remains a work in progress, said Barefoot, who seemed to harbor little doubt about the line's future success. "We know we are going to do well," he said. Enditem