Heinrich Villiger has died at the age of 95, his family announced today. Villiger was chairman of the board of Villiger Söhne Holding AG and Villiger Söhne AG, representing the third generation of the cigar manufacturer’s tradition. Under his leadership, Villiger successfully developed into a renowned international company.
Corina Villiger, eldest daughter, and member of the board of directors of the Villiger Group said in a press release, “It is with gratitude that we bid farewell to our father Heinrich Villiger, who has led the Villiger family business strategically and operationally with great commitment for 75 years He loved cigars and cigarillos – and was a passionate entrepreneur and courageous visionary, setting a lasting mark on the tobacco industry in Switzerland and beyond. Our father leaves a big gap; the privilege of continuing the tradition of the family business in the fourth and fifth generations means a lot to us”.
Corina Villiger and Heinrich Villiger’s grandson, Lucien Villiger, are active on the board of directors and will continue to represent the family on the committee, in addition to Rolf Kaufmann.
Jvo Grundler, vice-chairman of the board of directors of Villiger Group since 2020, will take over as chairman effective immediately. As part of the succession planning, Heinrich Villiger had determined that the chairmanship should be taken over by Grundler as an independent board member as well as advisor to balance the interests of the four descendants and their families. Grundler is a lawyer and member of various boards of directors and foundations.
“Heinrich Villiger was an old-school patron who inspired employees, customers and business partners with his unique expertise, innovative spirit and entrepreneurial thinking. We will miss him very much,”Grundler said in a press release. “At the same time, I feel obliged and honoured to successfully develop the Villiger Group’s long-term strategy – together with the board of directors, the executive board and the teams worldwide – in the spirit of the entrepreneur Heinrich Villiger and his family.”
