Sampoerna Appoints Mindaugas Trumpaitis as President Director

JAKARTA, Indonesia, Nov. 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- An Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders (EGMS) of PT HM Sampoerna Tbk. (Sampoerna/IDX: HMSP) has approved changes in Sampoerna's Board of Directors. Effective as of November 18, 2016, Mr. Mindaugas Trumpaitis officially replaces Mr. Paul Janelle as Sampoerna's President Director. Mr. Janelle will assume a senior management position at Sampoerna's parent company, Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI).  The EGMS also appointed Mr. Michael Scharer as Director in charge of Operations replacing Mr. Peter Haase, who is retiring.

An Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of PT HM Sampoerna Tbk has approved changes in Sampoerna's Board of Directors. Effective as of November 18, 2016, Mr. Mindaugas Trumpaitis (right) officially replaces Mr. Paul Janelle (left) as Sampoerna’s President Director.

"I am excited and honored to become the leader of one of Indonesia's great companies. I look forward to partnering with our talented team to ensure we deliver Sampoerna's long-term vision that is embodied by our Three-Hands Philosophy, namely doing all we can to support adult consumers, employees and partners and society-at-large," said Mr. Trumpaitis.

Mr. Trumpaitis has been with PMI for 18 years and most recently led PMI's Canadian affiliate, Rothmans, Benson & Hedges Inc., for the past three years. Prior to that posting, he served as Managing Director of PMI's affiliate in Mexico. He has also managed PMI's business in the Baltic States and Finland. Mr. Trumpaitis holds both bachelor and master degrees from Klaipeida University in Lithuania and an Executive MBA from INSEAD in France.

"Mindaugas has built an impressive track record of strategic, operational and commercial accomplishments in PMI," said Mr. John Gledhill, President Commissioner of Sampoerna. "He has proven to be a successful and trusted leader and brings to this position a strong reputation for developing people and inspiring teams. His wealth of experience across affiliates in PMI will be a valuable asset as we focus on driving short-term performance and delivering exceptional long-term shareholder value."

Mr. Michael Scharer began his career with Philip Morris Germany in 1997 and has extensive experience in Operations across numerous PMI locations. He most recently served in PMI's Research and Development center in Neuchatel, Switzerland.  Mr. Scharer is very familiar with Indonesia as he was previously the Director Technical Services Asia for Sampoerna. He has also led the Operations function at PMI's company in Malaysia. He holds a master degree in Mechanical Engineering & Business Management from Technical University Vienna, Austria.

"We are confident that Michael is well positioned to ensure Sampoerna continues to produce the high quality products that adult consumers have come to expect from us. Michael's experience also allows us to further the close relationships we enjoy with our supply chain partners, including Indonesia's tobacco and clove farmers," added Mr. Gledhill.

Recently, Sampoerna has reported a market share of 34.5 percent and net revenues (excluding excise taxes) of Rp 31.8 trillion for the first nine months of 2016, maintaining its position as the leading tobacco company in Indonesia.

About PT HM Sampoerna Tbk. (Sampoerna)

Founded in 1913, Sampoerna -- a subsidiary of PT Philip Morris Indonesia and an affiliate Philip Morris International -- is the leading Indonesian tobacco company, focusing primarily on the production and sale of clove cigarettes. The Company's brand portfolio includes Dji Sam Soe and Sampoerna A in the premium price segment and Sampoerna Kretek and U Mild in the below premium price segment. The Company also distributes Marlboro, the world's best-selling international brand.

Sampoerna operates seven production facilities in Java and partners with 38 Third Party Operators, employing -- directly and indirectly -- a total of approximately 70,000 employees in 2015, mostly in the production of hand-rolled clove cigarettes. Sampoerna distributes its products via more than 100 sales and distribution area offices across Indonesia.

Sampoerna was Indonesia's largest taxpayer in 2015, with total tax payments to the Government of approximately Rp 67.2 trillion. Sampoerna is the largest company by market capitalization on the Indonesian Stock Exchange, where it trades under the ticker symbol "HMSP."

For further information, please visit:  www.sampoerna.com

Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20161121/8521607593