Our Story

ALTESSE is specialized in the production of cigarette filter tubes and rolling filters and can rely on more than 100 years of experience. Our production site is located in Fürstenfeld Austria, in the middle of the lovely Eastern Styria spa region.
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1918

Altesse-Ghaza Aktiengesellschaft - Vereinigte Zigarettenhülsen- und Papierfabriken
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1972

Altesse was sold to Austria Tabak and transferred to Fürstenfeld
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1995

Altesse focused on the production of cigarette filter
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2002

Republic Technologies bought Altesse
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2004

New Factory in Fürstenfeld
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2009

Factory enlarged - 2nd production hall
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2010

start of our own filter production
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2018

increase of capacity of rolling filter and cigarette filter tubes
    Our story began in 1918 when “Altesse Zigarettenhülsen- und Papierfabrik AG” and the “Ghaza Zigarettenhülsen- und Papierfabrik AG” were merged to establish Altesse. “Altesse-Ghaza Aktiengesellschaft - Vereinigte Zigarettenhülsen- und Papierfabriken" was listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange for the first time in 1921.
    The first sales offices were established in 1923 in Budapest and Krakow.

    From 1958 to 1972, Hans von Behr managed Altesse as the main owner. The main task of the 125 Altesse employees was the production of cigarette paper, cigarette tubes and pipe leaves. The products were sold in Austria under the brand names RIZ ABADIE, OLLESCHAU, AWAFI, TRIXI, HIPPIE-FILTER, SAMUM, RONNY, HABANA, SCHNUCKI, ANIMO, ZWEI-FILTER, STYX, EXCLUSIV and ALTESSE.  Of the production 70% was sold in Austria and 30% of the production was exported to Germany and to countries from the former Eastern Bloc.

    In 1972, Hans von Behr decided to sell Altesse to Austria Tabak, who relocated the production to Fürstenfeld. Wo decades later, in 1995, ALTESSE specialized in the production of cigarette filter tubes.

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    At the beginning of the 20th century, in 2002, Austria Tabak sold Altesse to the best possible partner, Republic Group, a Chicago-based international group and Altesse became "Altesse" Zigarettenhüllenerzeugung und Papierverarbeitung Ges.m.b.H. As a result of increasing demand, a new and modern factory was completed in Fürstenfeld in June 2004. The number of employees increased from 50 up to 200.

    In 2009, the factory was enlarged again with a second production hall, thus enabling Altesse to start its own filter production, both for use in the tube production itself and for filter tips packaged loose in boxes or in precut sticks.

    As of 2010 Altesse has further developed their standards in terms of modernization of the traditional company.

    Starting in 2018 Altesse significantly increased their capacities in cigarette filter tubes as well as in rolling filters.

    We are committed to meet market and customer demands and thus continuously increased our capacities to provide first class products, logistical and service support.
    Permanent improvements in structures, procedures and best practice provides to Altesse the necessary infrastructure to face future challenges.