João Brígido, until now director of the Tabaqueira factory in Portugal, was appointed to lead Philip Morris International's industrial unit in Crespellano, Bologna, Italy. This factory is considered the largest of the multinational group worldwide and plays a central role in the company's strategy.
A graduate in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the Higher School of Technology of Setúbal, João Brígido began his career at Philip Morris International in Portugal in 1999. Over more than two decades, he held positions as Operations Director in South Korea, Brazil and the Philippines, also having led the company's factory in Romania before returning to Portugal to direct Tabaqueira.
During his tenure in Portugal, João Brígido led Tabaqueira through a cycle of strong investment and industrial transformation, focused on strengthening production for export. The Crespellano unit, to which he is now transferring, was inaugurated in 2016 and was the first factory of the group dedicated to large-scale production of heated tobacco products.
In statements about his appointment, João Brígido highlighted that he takes from Tabaqueira the experience of a highly competitive operation focused on rigor and people, taking on the new challenge in Bologna with the baggage acquired over more than 25 years with the group. The Crespellano complex also houses PMI's largest Center for Industrial Excellence, working in coordination with the company's global Research and Development center in Switzerland.
