PRODUCT PROFILE
MARCH/APRIL 2014
88
TOBACCO BUSINESS
MARCH/APRIL 2014
Electronic Cigarettes U.S. Automated
Filling, Assembly & Packaging
Freedom Smokeless, a Southern California-based producer of electronic
cigarettes, unveiled new, U.S.-built, high-speed electronic cigarette automa-
tion machinery at the recent TPC 2014 show in Las Vegas. Freedom, in the
e-cig industry since 2008, offers complete, turnkey automated solutions de-
signed specifically to bridge the gap between China and America, making e-
cig and cartridge liquid filling, assembly and packaging an affordable reality.
Freedom’s business is focused on OEM and ODM precision manufactur-
ing of electronic cigarettes. In 2011, Freedom began the design and con-
struction of its high-speed automated filling and assembly production lines
with the assistance of U.S. automation engineers. The first of six custom-
designed “made in America” machines has been installed in Freedom’s
Southern California, FDA Registered, ISO- and GMP-compliant facilities. By
May 2014, all six automated lines will be up and running with the capacity
of producing over four million units per week (disposable and cartomizer).
“The response at the recent TPC show was overwhelming,” says Glenn
Kassel, Freedom’s president and co-founder. “When watching the video of
our automated production, people were amazed that we had developed
such sophisticated technology, especially our built-in quality assurance fea-
tures.” Freedom’s automation includes precision filling, gluing, capping, a
patent-pending fusion feature (for soft-tip disposables and for a first-of-its-
kind soft-tip cartomizer), QC inspection with pressure testing, LED valida-
tion, a visual puff test, labeling, and silicon over-capping.
“Our quality assurance protocols include audits at every level of manufac-
turing from raw materials, sub-assemblies, WIP and finished goods in ad-
dition to regularly scheduled, consistent on-site factory inspections,” says
Michael Lewis, Freedom’s CEO and co-founder. “We use the very finest U.S.-
made e-liquids, which are all batch tested by accredited third-party labs. Our
packaging and printing is handled locally at ISO-certified facilities. It’s taken
us several years to create this world-class production system; our custom-
ers will attest that our consis-
tent high quality and extremely
efficient manufacturing and fin-
ished goods production allows
them to focus on sales instead
of facing all the challenges that
can arise when working with
foreign vendors.” Freedom,
Miami Cigar Debuts Anni-
versary Humidor
Twenty-fiveyears ago, Nestor andMarianaMi-
randabegandistributingcigars out of the trunk
of a car, visiting accounts that Nestor Miranda
had built relationships with through his many
years in the liquor business. That endeavor
eventually evolved into what is today one of
the nation’s largest premiumcigar distributors.
To commemorate this accomplishment, Mi-
ami Cigar & Company has decided to release
a limited edition 25th Anniversary Humidor
containing cigars from the two factories that
helped them reach this milestone. “We are
very excited to be workingwith La Aurora and
My Father Cigars on this project,” says Jason
Wood, Miami Cigar’s vice president. “Twenty-
five years would not have been possible with-
out the help of the Leon and Garcia families
and we thank them for that.”
This piano-finished humidor has the capac-
ity for 75 cigars. It will contain 20 Toro-sized
cigars, each packaged in their own individual
coffin. The individual cigar will have a second-
ary band denoting its country of origin. Total
production on this limited release will be 500
humidors set to hit the U.S. market in mid-
March.
“I feel privileged to be a part of this historic
milestone,” says Wood. “What the Mirandas
were able to accomplish is something that I
can only hope to duplicate in the 25 years to
come. They have provided us with the blue-
print; nowwith the help of everyone at Miami
Cigar, we look forward to an amazing run con-
tinuing their legacy.” Miami Cigar & Company,
