The premium cigar industry is mourning the loss of Heinrich Villiger, the long-serving chairman and guiding force behind Villiger Söhne AG, who passed away peacefully on July 25, 2025, at the age of 95.
A third-generation steward of the Swiss family-owned company, Villiger dedicated 75 years to growing the business into one of Europe’s leading premium cigar and cigarillo manufacturers. His tenure was marked by a steady commitment to quality, innovation, and international expansion, while never losing sight of the company’s roots in Pfeffikon, Switzerland, where the Villiger story began in 1888.
“It is with gratitude that we bid farewell to our father Heinrich Villiger, who led the Villiger family business strategically and operationally with great commitment for 75 years,” said Corina Villiger, his eldest daughter and a member of the company’s Board of Directors. “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.”
Villiger was widely respected for his deep industry knowledge and willingness to forge partnerships around the world. Under his leadership, Villiger Söhne AG grew from its European foundation to a global powerhouse, exporting to 80 countries and producing over a billion cigars and cigarillos annually. He was known as a classic industry “patron” who inspired loyalty among employees, partners, and customers.
As part of a long-term succession plan, Jvo Grundler, who has served as Vice-Chairman of Villiger Group’s Board of Directors since 2020, has assumed the role of Chairman. Grundler, a trusted advisor to the family, noted: “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.”
The Villiger Group will remain under family ownership, with Corina Villiger and Heinrich’s grandson, Lucien Villiger, continuing to serve on the Board of Directors alongside Rolf Kaufmann. The company has pledged to uphold the long-term strategy and values that Heinrich Villiger championed.
Heinrich Villiger leaves behind a legacy that stretches across nearly a century of premium cigar history, from his early days in the family company in 1950 to his final years as an active leader. His influence on the industry and his dedication to preserving family traditions while pursuing global growth have ensured that Villiger remains one of the most trusted and recognized names in premium cigars.
For more about Villiger’s legacy, visit villigercigars.com.