NOTES ON MR. J.P. SIKKEL I
VISIT TO I.T.CO. CMIADA
RY
-14TH J.V-.Uk IST FEBRUARY, 1970.
Distribution List: R. P. Dobson, Esq.
K.E. Haines , Esq.
P.Pare, Esq. (Visiting Millbank)
P.F. Cathrow, Esq.
L.Z. Ricard, Esq.
1.W. Murray, Esq.
'C. Warren, Esq.
A.J. Brock, Esq.
D.D. Wales, Esq.
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BATCo document for Province of British Columbia 15 April 1999

In my report after my last visit to Canada
(November, 1969) 1 expressed the opinion that all signs
indicated a new approach to product development and a
greater emphasis on smoking characteristics and product
quality.
Although at that time the contact between Marketing
Department and Leaf Blending Department was not yet ideal,
and the distribution of Laboratory information from
Quality Control Department could be improved there were
signs that this could be achieved In a matter of days
rather than woel;s.
It was, therefore, distressing to find that no progress
was made at all in these fields. The lack of direction
from MarketinS Department on the one hand, the multitude
of poorly defined projects, and the frequent cancelling
of projects on the other hand has led to a confusion in
Leaf Blending Department which has resulted in unnecessary
samples, and smoke tests which must have cost a considerable
amount of money.
Projects which proved most promising in November
have not been properly assessed whilat others which were
of no immediate importance have been tested.
Mr. Wales, I feel again by lack of proper direction
from Marketing Department, has in my opinion spent more
energy towards the development of cheaper blends or
modified Virginia blends (by, the introduction of Burley
tobacco) than was justified for a company which for the
everal years suffered a decrease in their market share
:f cigarettes.
Althou-h the principles behind this blending work
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were sound and Must have yielded valuable information I
fool that more would have been gained by a more limited
and more directed approach to say Maxim- five projects.
One of those could be the development of a modified
BATCo document for Province of British Columbia 15 April 1999

2
Virginia cigaretto and another a study in the affect of
higher stem and PCL usings in combination with the
introduction of hiZhcr quantities of the new t.-iore flavour-
ful and riper grades.
No experiments have been made with the application
of humectants or sugars on that se of the blends
which has very low aquilibriu= moisture content as
recommended in my last two reports. Samples will now be
made, but the percenta-e of this type of tobacco in the
recipes has already increased drastically. I'he danZer
of drying out of cigarettes and shorts formation in the
factory has now become imminent.
No system of distributing Laboratory information
in a form similar to that used by SCL has been introduced.
A first report came out on the 12th January which gave
the results of the last 6 months.. This contained
results of 37 brands but of no brand more thnn two complete
results were given. Of the eight best sellers on the
market there were two brands with two results, two brands
with 1i results, two with one result and two with i result.
This summary will not give any useful information and
in its present form I have no doubt that it will just be
filed.
Some brands are tasted weekly but the results of
these tests were not zu=arised in the above mentioned
report.
A meeting will be held to got this vrogra=e started
and it is hoped that very soon a form is developed which
will give meaningful information to MarkotinX, Leaf and
Production.
The 1969 Ontario crop is.of excellent quality and
contains a large amount of ripe tip, leaf, cutter and
sandleaf grades.
CD
Imperial Tobacco. Company Canada is buying a large
share of theso grades and the hogsheads packed are of a
very high standard. The ch a-n,- a of I.T. Co. Canada's buying
M
CD
BATCo document for Province of British Columbia 16 April 1999

policy and the pressure on loll nicotine grades have, a3
expected, resulted in a sharp increase of the price of
this type of tobacco. Unfortunately this has resulted in
the cancellation of over I million pounds of sandleaf
tobacco by B.A.T. U.K. and B.A.T. Holland.
The buying team in Ontario has reached even hiZ,her
standards than last year and the now grades seem to be
well known to all buyers. Grades are very well controlled
and bought at Competitive prices, when possible. 7lie team
spirit is very hi,mh and the quality consciousness could
set an example for the whole Company.
The buying programme was based on a percentage share
of the forecasted quantities in the crop. This system
has its dangers ax it is not based on the cstimated usings
for existing brands.
A leaf blenders first task is to maintain the smoking
characteristics of existing brands as long as Marketing
Department in satisfied with these characteristic s. For
this one has to havo confidence that Marketing Dopartment
indeed is thinking in terms of smoking characteristics
and I have the feelin.- that this confidence does not I
exist. I raust confess that I am inclined to share this
opinion.
During my stay we have set up a now requirement
6tateirent. which should be seen as the racor.ncndation
from Leaf Blending Department to Leaf Department with
regard to the grades which must be purchased to Zuaranteo
the smoking quality of existing brands.
The total requirements were some 10 million pounds
lower than the quantity I.T.Co. Canada intends to buy. This
extra purchase will be made for political reasons. It
must be clearly understood that any purchases made over
and above the requirements wil:l be deducted from the
requirements next year. Under no circumstances should
blends be changed because some of the grades show long
duration resulting from this extra purchase.
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There-still seems to be a tendency in Imperial Tobacco
corapally I a Lear Department. especially with t110 clerical
BATCo document for Province of British Columbia 15 April 1999

4
staff to propose blend changes with the sole object of
.5 traish tvid out durations of individual gradcs.
A change has been recommended for the target durations
for the different types of Srades.
Sandleaf, Lug and Cutter target durations have been
shortened and those of two side and three side leaf and
tip grades increased to 28 months. This was done because
it was felt that the heavier bodied tobaccos would'bcncfit
more from a lon'sor street than the thinner tobaccos. Tho
overall target duration was not chnnSed by this move.
The stock position of Burley tobacco per.31/12/1969
was 38 months whilst it is expected that the new crop
will add another 16 months duration. It can, therefore,
be expected that the duration per 31/12/1970 will be
42 months. I
Leaf Department, London has initiated experiments
with Canadian burley in Denmark and Jamaica. Even if
these experiments are successful the total yearly usings
in both countries combinad will be too small to have a
marked effect on the duration.
I remarked earlier that Leaf Blending Department
might have put too much emphasis on experiments with
blends including burley. This obviously must have been
caused by the extreme duration of the Burley stock. I
do not share the optimism of Leaf Department, Canada that
an inclusion of 51% or 101,0' Burley cannot be detected and
I would suggest to tread very carefully when introduction
in existing brands is contemplated.
Unfortunately I was not In a position to assess
samples myself due to an aftermath of Asian Flu.
The Whole question Of a3sessin- and testing of ciSarottes
in still a problem. The Taste and PI avour Workcin_- Party
system is not regarded as ideal in Canada. I received
& copy of a memorandum from Mrs. H. Schiff who studied C=>
the method in R. & D.E. Southampton in which she voices (=>
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some strong objections. I intend to send this to
mr. J. Wood for cor.iraents.
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Although I a5roe that several problems exist in
this system 1. have e.-,plained that Leaf Department, Millbank
have successfully used the services of the Taste and Flavour
panels and that It has been of great assistance-, especially
in the field of assessment and qunntifLcation of Amplitude,
Impact and Irritation.
Theso are the three main problem areas in Canada and,
therefore, I feel that the Taste and Flavour system should
be given a bettor chance than so far has been the case.
It is a lolls time ago tha@t Mrs. Sch-; f f visited R. & D.E.
Southampton to Cm.aliarise herself w ith tho technique and
I would suggest that a visit from an export in this field
from the U.K. would be beneficial.
As the panels in the Imperial Tobacco Company
are the responsibility of R. & D. it is my opinion that
a visit of Xr. Wood would be more beneficial than one by
14r'Diproso, who although very skilled in the technique
miZht became frustrated by scientific ar,mments brought
up against the system.
During the visit a recon=endation for a blend, process,
casing and flavour was made for Hollandin Regular pipe
tobacco. Samples are expected to be ready for smokinS
by the and of February.
SMNAIRY
All facts'mentioned in this report were discussed
'With the people concerned and in a large meeting on the
last day of my stay.
Mr. Warren has drawn up a flow chart of the functioning
and interconnection of the different departments involved
in product development, which again confirms the decisions
taken in July last year.
Mr. Xurray in also reorganizing Marketing Department
to enable it to get the right contact with product
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development. Ile Lalso will reassess the projects on hand C:>
and he feel* that Marketing Department-will ask only for C=)
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the development of three major projects.
Nevertheless I feel that no flow chart or scherm
will be functional as long as no groater personal
involvemant Is Achieved.
Follow up visits from Leaf Department, London will
be necessary. It has been Agreed that R. D. Lowe will
visit Canada in the Summer of 1970, especially to discuss
casings and flavours.
Other visits it was felt wIll, however, bo necessary*
In July, 1969 it wag agreed that after the Leaf Blending
Departmont was established in X.T.Co. Canada that
D. D. Wales should visit Europe, especially the U.K. and
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Germany. I agreed with Mr. Warren that this visit should
not be made this year as clearly the system is not yet
working satisfactorily.
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BATCo document for Province of BritiSh Columbia 15 April 1999