Pictured with the award are from left to right Greg Booth, president and CEO of Zippo, George Blaisdell Duke, owner and chairman of the board and Jim McDonough, vice president of operations.

See Also:

• Monday, February 6, 2012
  Room 101 Takes Aim with OSOK
• Tuesday, January 31, 2012
  Eddie Ortega, President of EOBrands, Resigns
• Tuesday, January 31, 2012
  Indianapolis Council Passes Smoking Ban, Mayor Vows Veto
• Monday, January 30, 2012
  New Padrón— 60 Ring No. 4
• Thursday, January 26, 2012
  José Seijas Leaves Altadis
• More from News & Features

Zippo Blu Butane Lighter Recognized

Andrew Nagy
Posted: June 5, 2008

Philip Morris U.S.A. recently awarded Zippo the "Success through Synergy" award for its innovative Blu butane lighter.

The Zippo Blu was introduced to the market in September 2007 with much fanfare. Created specifically with the cigar smoker in mind, the lighter features the iconic "click" associated with traditional Zippo lighters.

To build the Blu lighter, which features three times the number of parts in a traditional Zippo flint and wick lighter, the company had to create a new "clean room" within its Bradford, Pennsylvania, facility. The new space is a dust-free environment, crucial when piecing together the Blu lighter's intricate components.

"On behalf of Philip Morris U.S.A., I would like to thank the employees at Zippo for their outstanding commitment to developing this phenomenal product — from building a new manufacturing facility to perfecting every detail," said Bill Odom, director of Philip Morris U.S.A. in a press release.

For a review of the Zippo Blu, visit our cigar toy gallery.