The workers of the Enrique Casals Villarreal basic business unit in the city of Las Tunas are satisfied for having fulfilled their duties, as the factory of the same name and the workshop located in the community of Becerra produced six million 600 thousand cigars.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- 12 years have passed since the last productive success of the old institution -it was founded as such in 1962- and now the collective has turned those circumstances around, despite many inconveniences with the guarantee of raw material and the lack of electricity.

Arturo Camejo López has been in charge of the team for a little over a year and, although this plan was superior to those of other calendars, he designed a strategy to increase the quantity and quality of the cigars with fewer workers, as there are not enough cigar rollers.

"The first thing we did was to motivate the workers to commit themselves because this was going to be a result for everyone. We talked to them and took care of them, as they deserved. Then we came together to look for solutions to the lack of raw materials and the instability of the power supply."

"We adjusted the working hours and the factory started when the power came on. Some days we started at five in the morning or finished late at night. Even on Saturdays and Sundays, which are the usual rest days."

"I would also like to point out that the Tobacco Collection, Processing, and Twisting Company acquired equipment to generate electricity and that, thanks to the Territorial Contribution of one percent, steamers (work tables), stools, and other supplies were purchased, which boosted production."

The year 2024 presents new challenges for "Enrique Casals". One, to exceed seven million units for national consumption. Another is to train qualified personnel through training courses and agreements with the Ministries of the Interior and Education.

Since July, the company's portals have been selling cigars free of charge at 12 pesos each, an alternative that has been widely accepted by the tobacco growers and which has boosted both the factory's economy and the twisting plan.