Foreign investment and local talent: an alliance for sustainable growth

As has happened throughout the history of the emblematic production center, the commitment of its team will be key to facing this new challenge. And people are the driving force behind any successful initiative. Their talent and ability to face the challenges that arise constitute the foundations on which solid and sustainable long-term projects can be built.

José Alberto Hernández, head of the Production department, is an exceptional witness of how the factory has evolved over time. He has been working at the plant for 32 years, a lifetime, and throughout his extensive career he has held different positions and responsibilities until reaching his current position. “I joined the staff in 1991, but it would not be until 2007, at which time the factory became wholly owned by JTI, when I truly took off as a professional. At first it was hard because the change in mentality was radical and we had to adapt to a new way of working with very demanding quality standards, but also beautiful and exciting. The company wanted to bet on local talent and provided the means to make the adaptation as simple as possible for everyone.”

In this sense, Hernández values ​​above any other aspect the development opportunities that the multinational offers its employees. «At JTI, the work culture is unique; They take care of you, they offer you the possibility of growing, of training to assume new roles and where you feel that your opinions matter and are heard. It’s like a big family where everyone supports each other.”

In addition to promoting internal promotion and constant training of its collaborators, JTI has invested more than 75 million euros in the last decade in the expansion and comprehensive modernization of the plant, turning it into one of the most cutting-edge centers in Europe. The combined strength of technology, investments and human talent has made it possible for Tenerife to gain prominence compared to the other 37 factories that JTI owns in the world.

«I have had the opportunity to visit many of JTI’s factories, from Russia to Andorra, a very enriching experience that broadens your perspective and allows you to integrate best practices into your daily work. However, the work environment in Tenerife is unique. All our colleagues want to come here,” Hernández states proudly.

Regarding the transfer of production to Tenerife of some Camel and Winston formats, Hernández highlights the enormous challenge it represents in operational terms, but also the positive impact it will have on the entire economic fabric of the Islands.

“Increasing production volume is not only good news for JTI but our main suppliers, as well as many other companies linked to the activity of our factory, will also benefit from this decision.”

It is relevant to note that the increase in production will also contribute to significantly increasing tobacco exports in the Canary Islands, which for the first time will exceed those of bananas, according to company estimates.

The factories of the future, today

Along with the modernization of machinery and facilities, JTI has allocated an important part of its investments in recent years to enhance the efficiency of the factory, positioning it as an example in terms of sustainability and care for the environment.

“This year we will be able to generate 25% of the energy we consume and that it will also be clean, from solar sources. In parallel, we are working on other projects, such as the replacement of traditional lighting, installation of presence sensors, replacement of motors with other more efficient models or energy storage through batteries, the latter still in the study phase, with the aim to minimize the impact of our activity on the environment,” says Sabrina González, manager of the Engineering department.

The engineer, who joined JTI 11 years ago, highlights that the balance that exists between belonging to a group with very rigorous standards and the autonomy to devise and promote one’s own projects has been key to advancing in the field of sustainability. “There is a set of global requirements that all production centers must meet, but each factory has room to adapt the plans to its own reality and propose new initiatives,” she explains.

“We have an internal system that allows each employee to freely contribute their suggestions, and the best proposals are recognized and awarded. Without going any further, one of the projects that we are currently implementing, which consists of the use of valves and sensors that guarantee the minimum pressure necessary per machine, so that the general supply equipment can reduce its consumption by 20%, started of a proposal from our Engineering department.”

With an eye toward the future, González also considers that the notable increase in production that the factory will experience in the coming months will have a very positive impact since “the plant’s activity not only generates direct benefits for JTI, but also that drives a broader economic movement throughout the region. The machinery, for example, is purchased from international suppliers, but we always have local contractors for its installation and maintenance. We have a clear maxim: if the service exists here and we can hire it here, the business stays in the Canary Islands.”

“Although in the first instance we must make significant efforts to adapt to the new scenario and comply with the company’s production plans, we want to continue demonstrating that we are a solvent, prepared and trustworthy factory. We are accustomed to change and this new challenge will undoubtedly allow us to continue reinforcing our image abroad as a top-of-the-line production center, capable of facing any challenge without losing its close and familiar essence, highly praised by the JTI members of other locations,” summarizes the engineer.